GAY BOXER WINS FIRST FIGHT SINCE COMING OUT

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.