Pro Boxer Orlando Cruz: I Am A Proud Gay Man
Oct. 3 2012, Published 8:30 a.m. ET
Puerto Rican pro boxer Orlando Cruz has become the first openly gay professional fighter – one week before National Coming Out Day, which is Thursday, October 11.
The featherweight champ, 31, released a statement to the media saying: “I’ve been fighting for more than 24 years and as I continue my ascendant career, I want to be true to myself.
“I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids who might look into boxing as a sport and a professional career.
“I have and will always be a proud Puerto Rican. I have always been and always will be a proud gay man.”
Cruz -- who turned pro shortly after the Sydney Olympics in 2000 -- has been boxing since he was seven and has won seven national titles and seven international gold medals.
He’s scheduled to fight Jorge Pazos in Florida on Friday, October 19.
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