Cruz wins in Florida
Openly gay Puerto Rican boxer Orlando Cruz beat out rival Jorge Pazos last week in Florida, his first since revealing his sexuality. The win saw him retain his light featherweight title in a unanimous decision. Cruz said he’d been nervous since he came out three weeks ago that he may be booed as he stepped into the ring.
“I was very happy that they respect me. That’s what I want — them to see me as a boxer, as an athlete and as a man in every sense of the word,” he said on the night.
“That was my moment, my opportunity, my event… and I won.”
The 31-year-old confirmed his sexuality earlier this month, making him the first professional boxer to come out whilst their career is still active.
