University of Nevada student Nathan Valencia dies after Kappa Sigma Frat’s ‘Underground Combat Club’

On November 19, Nathan Valencia, a 20-year-old University of Las Vegas student and member of the fraternity, fought another member of the fraternity on campus during the “main event” of the fraternity. an annual boxing match.

According to a Flyers on Instagram leading up to Kappa Sigma Fight Night, proceeds for the annual event are said to support Center Ring Boxing, a youth boxing club in Las Vegas.

But the friendly soon turned tragic.

Based on KLAS-TVValencia, a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon group at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, collapsed shortly after having a seizure. Four days later, the outlet reported, he was dead.

His family told the newspaper that Valencia suffered a traumatic brain injury that led to his death in hospital.

Joe Castro, a friend of Valencia who witnessed the match, described the atmosphere to KLAS-TV as an “underground fighting club” and said Valencia decided to take part in the event. even though he has no boxing experience.

Castro says there was a time when Valencia fell and a fight broke out. He said that amid the chaos, Valencia received no medical help. “I saw no medical, no doctor, nothing,” Castro said.

A boxing expert told KLAS-TV that after reviewing footage of the match, Valencia received several fatal blows as the crowd continued to cheer.

Nicholas Lasso, an attorney representing Valencia’s family, told The Daily Beast in a statement that “a preliminary investigation” found that “mistakes were made and safety precautions were taken.” was completely ignored.”

“College students shouldn’t be put in a situation where they’re pitted against each other to fight,” says Lasso. “We will not take any issue with determining how a 20-year-old ended up in a school-approved amateur match that cost him his life. .”

In one declare On Friday, Keith Whitfield, President of UNLV, distanced himself from the university and the event, calling the boxing match an “off-campus event to raise money”.

Whitfield is not responsible for the event and its safety precautions, but said the university will review the incident to determine how future off-campus events can be “safest”. maybe”.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the incident. The police department did not respond to a request for comment.

ONE GoFundMe . page raising money for Valencia’s funeral expenses said Valencia passed away on November 23, a few days before his 21st birthday.

The page describes Valencia as having a smile that “lights up every room he walks into.” It also describes him as an active member of his fraternity. “He gives so much love to his chapter and appreciates the real connections he can make.”

As of Saturday afternoon, the page has raised nearly $46,000 for Valencia’s family.

The university’s Kappa Sigma division did not respond to a request for comment. In one Instagram post, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter of which Valencia is a part expresses condolences to his family. Chapter did not respond to a request for comment.