Puerto Rican boxer Orlando “The Phenomenon” Cruz says he's ready
for Saturday's world title fight.
The 32-year-old Cruz is training to fight Mexico's Orlando Salido
for the vacant WBO featherweight title. The bout will take place at the Thomas
& Mack Center in Las Vegas.
In remarks to the UK's The Independent, Cruz, who came out last year, said
that he was ready to make history as the world's first openly gay boxer to win
a world title. But win or lose, Cruz will still go down in history as the first
openly gay boxer to fight for a world title.
“I now feel free to just get on with the boxing,” Cruz said. “I'm
not fighting two opponents any longer and that is a great relief. The nights of
staying awake and crying are over.”
Cruz has dedicated the upcoming fight to Emile Griffith, one the
greatest boxers in history. Griffith, who died over the summer in New York,
acknowledged that he was bisexual in an interview with Sports
Illustrated.
“I like men and women both,” he said. “But I don't like that word:
homosexual, gay or faggot. I don't know what I am. I love men and women the
same, but if you ask me which his better … I like women.”
Salido said that he wasn't concerned about Cruz's sexual
orientation.
“Gay, so what?” he said. “We are just two fighters and we both want
to win the world title.”
Knock him out, man! :) Thanks!
ReplyDeletethough I don't get this brutal sport, I will cheer him on
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