Cruz wins second bout after coming out

Cruz wins second bout after coming out

Boxing’s first, out athlete is now a contender for the World Boxing Organization’s featherweight championship belt after he secured a sixth-round technical knockout at Kissimmee’s Civic Center March 15.

Orlando Cruiz, who wore shorts with the colors of the Puerto Rican flag and rainbow colors representing the LGBT community, is nicknamed “The Phenomenon” and beat Aalan “The Bomber” Martinez.

The WBO Latino champion retained his regional title and reinforced his No. 1 ranking in the 126-pound division after scoring a TKO at 1:19 of the sixth round against the Mexican fighter. According to ESPN, the win put Cruz in a position to face Mikey Garcia, the current featherweight champion.

“I’m ready for the championship,” Cruz said after the fight. “My mind is now in challenging for the WBO belt. I’m thirsty for glory now.”

When his challenger went down, Cruz climbed the ropes of the ring and pointed to the rainbow flag on his trunks, which caused the audience to scream approval, according to a report from The Advocate.

Since his win, Cruz has been on social media, thanking God, his grandmother, trainers and the LGBT community on Twitter. He wrote, in Spanish, “I love you and carry you with me.”

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