LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Nevada State Athletic Commission will expand its oversight of amateur boxing.
The commission unanimously approved an emergency regulation on Monday morning. The regulation forces event organizers to apply for an exemption if they want to hold an amateur boxing event without the jurisdiction of the commission.
Monday’s decision comes after the death of UNLV student Nathan Valencia died last month during a "fight night" event.
Under current state regulations, any sort of unarmed combat competition that is conducted or participated exclusively by a school or a university or by an affiliated organization of the school is exempt from the athletic commissions' provisions and oversight.
The emergency regulation that was passed creates a process for school or school-affiliated organizations like fraternities to apply for an exemption rather than just having it.
"As a result, this fraternity event took place without any oversight from the Nevada State Athletic Commission. As to whether any other event had oversight or entity had any oversight, that remains to be determined in our investigation which is ongoing.," said Stephen Cloobeck with the NSAC.
Cloobeck played clips of the 911 calls and the hospital video where friends of Valencia paid their respects.
During Monday's meeting, Cloobeck wanted to honor Valencia by calling the regulation "Nathan's Law" and said he would like to see state lawmakers enshrine something into law.
The Valencia family attorneys applauded the commission’s move saying in a statement it was a “positive step in the right direction” and called on state lawmakers to create legislation to address the oversight issue. Cloobeck also called for this to be addressed at next year’s legislative session.
“Although this is currently an emergency regulation, I intend to see permanent regulations implementing these safeguards.”
UNLV officials said in a statement: "We’re aware of today’s action by the Nevada Athletic Commission and the university will follow all applicable regulations by state and local agencies. Additionally, the university is continuing its internal review of the Nov. 19 off-campus fraternity charity boxing event."
During the meeting Chairman Cloobeck was adamant the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police investigation into Valencia’s death was still ongoing, but LVMPD contradicted his statement saying the circumstances around Valencia’s death while tragic are not criminal and no charges will be filed.
