Ex-UNLV boxer headlines Rio card

The fight was scheduled for 10 rounds, which would have been the longest Henry Namauu had been in the ring in his three-year professional career.

But Namauu, a cruiserweight who was one of the stars of UNLV’s national championship boxing team in 2006, had no intention of going the distance against Rayford Johnson. He dominated Johnson and scored a seventh-round technical knockout April 10 at the Thomas & Mack Center, then joined 3,127 fans in attendance to watch his idol, Evander Holyfield, stop Frans Botha.

Tonight, a rested and confident Namauu returns to the ring as a main event fighter, headlining Crown Boxing’s card at the Rio’s Crown Theater. Namauu (6-3, four knockouts) is facing Chad Davis in a rematch of their 2008 fight that Namauu won in a four-round unanimous decision.

“I’ve been working on sharpening up my defense,” Namauu said of his time in the gym the past four-plus months. “I’m trying not to allow myself to get hit as much. My power’s always going to be there, but I need better defense if I’m going to make it big.”

Namauu showed signs of an improved defense when he beat Johnson. His balance was better than it had been in previous fights. His foot and head movement was better, and he did a good job of counterpunching when Johnson was unable to land a blow.

“It takes a lot of work to be a good defensive boxer,” Namauu said. “But I’ve never been afraid to put in the time in the gym, and I’ve been concentrating on that aspect of my game. I can see the results.”

Namauu said he had no problem agreeing to a rematch with Davis, who is from Phoenix and is 2-5.

“Why shouldn’t I?” Namauu said. “He’s a good fighter, and I’d like to think if the situation were the other way around he would give me another shot. If a man is willing to step in the ring with you, you have to respect that.

“I’m sure he’s improved since we fought each other. I know I’ve gotten better. It should be a good fight.”

If the eight-round main event goes the distance, it will be the furthest Namauu has gone in his career. His seven rounds against Johnson is his longest stint.

“Fifteen rounds. Twenty rounds. Whatever it takes,” Namauu said. “I’ve trained hard for this fight. I took a little time off to get my battery recharged. But I’m ready to go, and I’m excited about fighting at the Rio. Crown Boxing has been good to me, and I appreciate the chance to be in the main event. It’s every fighter’s dream.”

The first bell for the five-bout card is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.