“Pride. That’s
the word that comes to mind when we think of Orlando Cruz”, stated Outsportsupon
making the announcement.
“That he
continues to perform at such a high level in the uber-macho sport of boxing,
wrapping himself in rainbow flags … makes his selection as 2016 Male Athlete of
the Year that much sweeter”, the publication added.
Cruz follows in
the footsteps of Canadian figure skater Eric Radford and American soccer player
Robbie Rogers who picked up the gong in 2015 and 2014 respectively.
Last month the
lightweight lost
out on becoming the first gay world boxing champion. The boxer lost in a
fight against Terry Flanagan, who threw a powerful right-hand punch which
brought Cruz to the floor in the eighth round of the match.
Cruz
came out in 2012 and married
his long-term boyfriend José Manuel in 2013. Earlier this year the boxer dedicated
fights he had won to the victims of the Orlando massacre.
He previously
spoke about being a role model for anyone who wants to take up boxing as a
professional career. “I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids
who might look into boxing as a sport.”
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