By Rick Reeno

The Nevada State Athletic Commission explained Saturday's disqualification outcome to the welterweight fight between Brandon Rios and Diego Chaves. Referee Vic Drakulich disqualified Chaves in the ninth round, after a very dirty contest by both fighters. By that point, Drakulich had deducted two points from Chaves and one point from Rios. Both fighters, and their corners, were warned numerous times regarding the dirty tactics being used in the contest.

NSAC Chairman Francisco Aguilar: "I know no fan of boxing ever wants the referee to make a determination of a fight. However, there are circumstances and a point in time where the referee does have to get involved. You may not agree with it, but have to understand it and I have to explain it to you. Vic, early on, tried to set a standard with these fighters. This was not a boxing match, this was a brawl. Vic tried to get control of this fight by deducting the points, whether or not you agree those points were appropriate. He was attempting to get control."

"As the fight went on, he was losing that control and I don't think either corner had respect for the authority in that ring. That was my concern, when he want in there to lay down the law - they were not listening and the fight was disintegrating to a point where it could become dangerous. It is our responsibly as officials in that ring to take ownership of that ring, and that's what Vic did. He did speak to both corners. The corners knew what was coming. He gave notice to them. It wasn't a surprise action."

NSAC Executive Director Bob Bennett: It was brought to Vic's attention that Mr. Chaves was allegedly gouging at the face of Mr. Rios, and the eyes and things of that nature, and that's an egregious foul. Vic didn't see it, the corner brought it to his attention. Vic went to the corner of Mr. Chaves and said 'I didn't see this, it was brought to my attention, but if you keep this kind of action up you will be disqualified."

"Then the round went ahead and kicked off, and as Chairman Aguilar stated, they got locked in close and [Chaves] threw an elbow to the throat or the forehead. We don't have 16 cameras to look at it, but from our vantage point but that's what Vic saw."