A student at the University of Nevada, in Las Vegas, died of brain injuries after participating in a boxing match organized a week ago by a fraternity whose goal was to raise funds for charities.
Nathan Valencia, 20, died of brain injuries sustained after participating in the Kappa Sigma fraternity 'Fight Night' on November 19.
Valencia passed away three days later: on November 23.
An Instagram post by the fraternity features the Valencia fight as the main event of the match.
Fight night took place off campus, university president Keith E. Whitfield said in a statement.
“Shortly after the fight, Nathan collapsed and was taken to a hospital.
We are shocked, heartbroken and mourn the loss of one of our own, ”Whitfield said in the statement the university shared with NBC News.
Nathan Valencia's family demands a "deep investigation" to clarify his death.NBC News
Whitfield affirmed that the university will enable all available resources to investigate the incident, and assured that the institution will analyze how the events that are organized off campus can be "as safe as possible."
“Our condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.
I'm sure words cannot describe your feeling of pain and emptiness.
They are in our thoughts during this very difficult time, ”said Whitfield.
No security measures
Joe Castro, a close friend from Valencia, told The New York Post that he witnessed the boxing match at the Sahara Event Center in Las Vegas, a site he described as "an underground fighting club."
Castro said Valencia had no experience, but decided to get in the ring to participate.
During the fight he collapsed and then a brawl ensued.
"I didn't see medical assistance, no doctors, nothing," Castro said.
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“Losing someone so special is very difficult.
That event had to be organized in the right way, ”Xavier De La Rosa, a friend from Valencia, told The New York Post.
According to a statement released by attorneys Nick Lasso and Ryan Zimmer of the Richard Harris law firm, Valencia relatives said they are heartbroken by the loss and stated that
"mistakes were made and safety precautions were overlooked"
during the Boxing match.
“We will demand an in-depth investigation to determine how UNLV and the Kappa Sigma Fraternity could allow and promote such an event.
College students should not participate in this type of fighting, ”the statement said.
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'Fight Night' is an event held every year and proceeds from the event benefit the Center Ring Boxing, a youth boxing club, according to a fraternity post on Instagram.
"
We will leave no stone unturned to determine how a 20-year-old ended up participating in an
amateur
fight
, approved by the university, which cost him his life," read the statement from relatives.
On Saturday night, the date on which Valencia would have turned 21, a vigil was held in his memory, reported News3LV, an affiliate of NBC News.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department continues to investigate the case.
With information from
NBC News
and
The New York Post
