A fraternity charity boxing match left a college student dead from injuries he allegedly sustained from the match.
20-year-old Nathan Valencia, a junior at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), participated in Kappa Sigma Fraternity’s Fight Night and died days later, KLAS-8 News reported.
A flyer was posted on Instagram detailing the Nov. 19 match between Valencia and another person at the Sahara Events Center in Las Vegas. The proceeds from the fight were meant to benefit the Center Ring Boxing, a youth boxing club, PEOPLE reported.
The man’s family said he had sustained fatal brain injuries and collapsed following the fight- four days before his 21st birthday.
“Kappa Sigma Fraternity is greatly saddened by the loss of Nathan Valencia at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Our deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers are with the Valencia family and the entire UNLV community,” the organization said in a statement.
Lawyers for the Valencia family from the Richard Harris Law Firm said the family was “heartbroken over the loss of Nathan.”
“Our preliminary investigation reveals mistakes were made and safety precautions overlooked. We will be completing a full investigation to determine how UNLV and the Kappa Sigma Fraternity could allow and promote an event like this to take place,” read the statement.
“College students should not be placed in a situation where they are pitted against each other for combat. ‘Kappa Sigma Fight Night’ is an event that has been held annually and was well known to both UNLV and the national Kappa Sigma Fraternity,” the statement continued.
“We will leave no stone unturned to determine how a 20-year-old ended up in a school-sanctioned amateur fight that cost him his life. The family has asked for privacy during this time to grieve,” the statement concluded.
It was Valencia’s longtime friend, Joe Castro, who referred to the boxing match as an “underground fight club.”
He also alleged that the event had no medical professionals or qualified referees in attendance. Castro says after Valencia collapsed, a brawl broke out “while Nathan was just in the ring, like, laying there. It was ridiculous.”
UNLV President Richard Whitfield sent out a university-wide email about the “tragic incident” on Friday, saying, “We are shocked and heartbroken as we mourn the loss of one of our own,” Whitfield wrote in part. “Coping with the loss of life is always difficult, especially under these circumstances. UNLV is committing all available resources to review the incident and determine how off-campus events like these can be as safe as possible.”
“Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and loved ones,” he continued. “I am sure words cannot describe their feeling of grief and emptiness. They are in our thoughts during this very difficult time. The Rebel community shares their loss.”
A GoFundMe page has been placed in Valencia’s honor and has a goal of $100,000 to help his family with medical and funeral expenses.
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