Boxing Rising Star Comes Out

Back toward the beginning of October, a very cool thing happened. Professional featherweight boxer Orlando Cruz of Puerto Rico came out as a gay man (video at ESPN). This is very cool (and good timing) because October is both Queer History Month and Anti-Bullying Month. Cruz issued a press release 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 is 31 years old, a southpaw, ranked no. 4 featherweight in the world, was part of the 2000 Olympic team, and is “18-2-1 with nine knockouts” in his professional career (full article at LA Times). He calls being closeted a “distraction” and is “happy” that part of his life is now behind him. Cruz has received tons of support, including from his Olympic teammates, and it is encouraging to see more and more pro athletes come out as part of the LGBTQA+ community. We need to stand up together with our allies and demand the respect we deserve. Having a pro boxer on our side can’t hurt.

Congrats to you, Cruz, on being nothing but yourself. And good luck on Friday in your bout against Jorge Pazos. Ramapo is rooting for you!