Puerto Rican featherweight champion Orlando Cruz talks to HBO's Real Sports about his decision to come out as boxing's first openly gay active fighter. "I would cry every day before and after the gym and think, 'Oh my God, help me'," Cruz tells Jon Frankel on the pressures of being closeted.
Why at this point in his career? "Because I want respect in the ring and outside on the street. ... I'm glad I did this. I'm very, very happy," said Cruz.
Cruz won his first boxing match since publicly coming out on Friday. The boxer beat Jorge Pazos in a unanimous decision at a televised bout in Florida. Cruz discussed his decision to come out in a brief interview with ESPN senior writer and CNN contributor LZ Granderson after that match.
Watch both video clips AFTER THE JUMP ...
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This is awesome! For an athlete who is tops in his sport, not to mention an ultra-'masculine' sport like boxing, to come out is great for the entire world. God bless him and continued success to him both in and out of the ring!
Posted by: Strongforu | 24 October 2012 at 18:19
I am VERY happy for him. A MAJOR step forward in sports and for Latino LGBTQs
Posted by: reggieh | 24 October 2012 at 18:33
Hello Sunshine!
Posted by: Honut Sinti | 24 October 2012 at 21:07
I think I'm in LOVE -LOL ... Lord, sweet jesus have wercy ...
Posted by: KMOe | 25 October 2012 at 23:36