RIO RANCHO — The boxing world has turned around for Joaquin Zamora, and he's glad it has.

In his last fight, Santa Fe's Zamora had everything to win and very little to lose. Tonight, he has everything to lose and very little to win.

Zamora is in the co-main event on the Black Friday card at the Santa Ana Star Center, which is located in the open spaces of Rio Rancho's northside. The two main events will be televised live on Telefutura TV.

In his last bout, Zamora was a decided underdog but scored a third-round technical knockout against Albuquerque's highly heralded Ray Sanchez III. Tonight, Zamora (16-2-1, 11 KOs) will face Jose Gonzalez (12-4-1, 10 KOs) of Springfield, Mo. Hicklet Lau (20-17-2) of Miami will meet Jesus Soto-Karass (21-3-3) in the other welterweight main event.

"It has been a long, hard road," Zamora said of finally reaching a level where he is considered good enough to be televised. "This is what brings out the best in you. Winning the last fight increased my popularity a lot. Now I have to keep my feet on the ground. I know that one fight is not going to make my career."

At 31, Zamora is late in reaching this level. His boxing clock is running.

"I guess it does hurt that he's older," observed longtime Santa Fe trainer Al Lovato. "If you're 22, I guess it is easier for them. They have youth on their side. Yeah, he's 31, but he's still young."

"Joaquin has always said he has to go out and prove himself every time. He's ready to do that," Lovato continued. "Whatever he has to do, he'll get the job done."

Lovato and Zamora have been studying films about tonight's opponent.

"He throws down," Zamora noted "He's more of a puncher. He has 12 wins and 10 were knockouts.

"I think he'll come forward and put on a lot of pressure," Lovato said. "We've fought big people like him before. Anything could happen. If it goes the distance, that's OK."

Lovato says that Zamora is planning a little secret for Gonzalez.

"There is another style Joaquin hasn't shown yet," he says. "We have a good plan. We've studied the films and found a few things."

Zamora, who works for the Santa Fe Parks and Recreation Dept., is hoping to catch the attention of promoter Top Rank, Inc. If Top Rank is impressed, it would be a boost to his career.

"I take it day-by-day. I would like to have a title shot within a year or two," Zamora says. "I think about today and let tomorrow take care of itself."

"I hope Top Rank likes what they see. I hope they want to see more of it," Lovato says.

There are seven fights on the card, which is being promoted by Juan Romero. Arturo Crespin (1-0) of Las Vegas, N.M., is scheduled to fight Daniel Gonzales (2-2) of Albuquerque in a four-round super welterweight bout. The day starts with afternoon amateur bouts. The first pro fight is scheduled to start at 5 p.m.