GAY BOXER WINS FIRST FIGHT SINCE COMING OUT

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Boxer Orlando Cruz, who came out as gay earlier this month, has won his first fight since going public with his sexual orientation.

On Friday night, the 33-year-old Cruz was unanimously declared the winner in the match in Florida, roundly beating opponent Jorge Pazos, reported the Boston Herald.

“That was my moment, my opportunity, my event. And I won,” he said after the fight, with his mother Dominga Torres-Rivera sitting next to him.

He commented that he was pleased with the support from the crowd. “I was very happy that they respect me. That’s what I want — them to see me as a boxer, as an athlete and as a man in every sense of the word.”

Cruz, who says that he’s aiming for a world title, went on to add: “I feel happy with where I am. I’m free. I’m more at peace.”

By coming out, the featherweight from Puerto Rico became the first-ever openly gay man in professional boxing.

“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,” he said at the time.

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