It was only two weeks ago that Porto Rican boxer Orlando Cruz came out as the first openly gay boxing professional and has now won his first fight since the declaration. With some nimble footwork Cruz negated the superior reach of Mexican Jorge Pazos, defeating Pazos via a unanimous points decision.
As much as the result was important for Cruz and his legion of fans, it’s the manner in which his decision has been accepted in the boxing and wider sports community that is most encouraging. “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.” Cruz said after the bout.
The win puts the WBO’s fourth-ranked featherweight on step closer to that illusive title fight and provided he gets his chance, he’ll be better prepared for the experience with the weight of his hidden sexuality off his shoulders “I feel happy with where I am. I’m free. I’m more at peace.” Take that homophobes.
via Daily Mail
Picture by J. Meric at Getty Images
