Boxer comes out fighting
By Jim Kavanagh, CNN
Boxer Orlando Cruz is one tough man.
He had 179 wins and just 10 losses as an amateur and boxed for Puerto Rico in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. He went 17-0-1 in his first 18 professional fights, earning him the nickname El Fenomeno (The Phenom). He now boasts a pro record of 18-2-1, with 9 knockouts. He owns championship belts from the World Boxing Organization and International Boxing Association and is the fourth-ranked fighter in the WBO's featherweight (126-pound) class.
He has bulging biceps, a chiseled chest, a brilliant smile and a lot of mean-looking tattoos.
And last week he let the world know he's gay.
"It's 12 years I'm waiting (to approach) this subject," Cruz, 31, told CNN. "It's amazing, you know? I'm happy."
He said he made sure he had informed and gained the support of his family, friends, ex-boyfriends, teammates, manager and promoter before coming out.
"I have always been and always will be a proud gay man," he said in a public announcement on October 3, according to Time.com.
Orlando Cruz becomes the first openly gay professional boxer
Public reaction - including from fellow Puerto Rican boxing champion Miguel Cotto - has been positive and encouraging, he said.
Cotto told him, "It's OK, Orlando. I support you. It's good. It's your decision, and I respect your decision," Cruz said.
He said he's also received support and guidance from high-profile gay rights activist Pedro Julio Serrano and singer Ricky Martin.
"Wow. Ricky Martin," Cruz said with a smile. "Two days ago he called and texted me, 'Relax, Orlando. I support you. It's OK, don't worry.'"
Cruz is scheduled to fight Jorge Pazos (20-4-0) on October 19 in Kissimmee, Florida, for the WBO Latino featherweight title.
"This is the new Orlando. This is the new Orlando 'Phenom' Cruz," he told CNN. "I'm ready and hungry for victory."
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iReport
before i go just want to say RomneyRyan 2012 once more!
You lost me at Judge Judy.
what about that gay coach that molested sugar ray leonard? i keep telling people this gay thing is going to backfire on us...well really our kids. because they will be the ones getting touched...we should use the "salem" concept when it comes to gays...
seems like it'll be hard to knock this guy out...given his high threshold for pain...
I think we can all rest assured that "joeymarine" is not an active duty Marine. He's spending far too much time posting things on an on-line comment board.
you sound stupid. i've been doing this for 18+ years now. its 321 and as we speak i have a little more than 30 mintues before i leave work. obviously you have never been in the military because most of the time stateside is spent behind a computer. Since im a senior nco, all i do is surf the net all day. i retire in two years then i wont be active duty but i'll still get a retirement check forever...sucks to be you.
i hate to say it but Hailey motts made a strong point...never thought about it like that...
Can anyone give a specific example of how gay marriage harms America or straight marriage in any way?
Please only rational, factual and logical responses.
marriage is a man-made concept created by humans and is meant to be between a man and woman, it has been so for thousands upon thousands of years. Why should it change? give gays the same rights dont call it marriage.
Now try to answer my question as asked instead of trying to deflect attention away from the fact that you can't...
you do know what a human is right? okay knowing this think about your own parents. Think if one of them were gay I would not be replying to your post right now because you wouldn't exist. Gay marriage does not harm straight marriage OR america in any warm. but it does, in fact, harm humanity.
Break down the word procreation. PRO-CREATION. you can NOT create another human being through gay marriage. two women together or two men together CAN NOT CREATE ANOTHER HUMAN no matter how much they "love" each other. If humans are to exist for lets say the next thousand years...think how that would be possible in a world of 100% gay people. It wouldn't. It couldn't. Human race would die of in 75 years tops and only animals would be here. Animals are not gay. Nowhere else in nature does that mentality exist. Only us humans.
spoken like a person who truly understands humanity...way to go haily!
well said...i agree 100%
I personally have no problems with gay people getting married. I was married for 12 years and I hated it so if they want to deal with that mess then more power to them. But from a humanity point of view as haily points out it harms us. i really dont see a point in it just some guys that want to poke each other. at the end of the day the CORE of humanity will always be 1 man, 1 woman. thats how humanity still exist today. imagine if everyone who was born after 1800 were completely gay...2012 we would be look at a pretty empty world except for the animals.
Not every human that marries has children, marriage isn't about having children, now imagine if every gay person on earth were straight and pro-creating...BOOM! Population explosion...Our schools are a wreck as it is not to mention how many more starving, neglected or abused children could society handle? IMO, the world would be very grey and dull and full of unimaginitive status quo (borrring) without the added color and creativity of gay people. Think art, fashion, entertainment, marketing, design the list goes on and on...and now even includes boxing!!! To be against equal rights for gay people is to be on the wrong side of history for sure. I'm thrilled to see that the topic of gay marriage has surpassed the ignorant arguement of "what they do in the bedroom" and has progressed to a more mature and intelligent discussion of what it means to love another human being. The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and they don't give a damn if a person is gay, and why should they? Get over yourself Haily Motts...and turn the page. (and im not talking about your bible)...
its nasty period point blank. any MAN that would want to stick his penis inside another man is absolutely sick...no other way to see it. also he can consider himself much of a MAN at all...
i think we should all leave the gays alone. if a man wants another man cool...more WOMEN for me!!!!!!!! HA!
There is no logical, reasonable answer.
how about you make a statement of your own or stop nitpicking others
We have a winner!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations Felix!
thats not the answers...sorry try again.
Bye!! We don't want you...
Lennox Lewis was too, he's not the first gay boxer, just the first to come out about it.....Also, my personal opinion is that he just wants attention...I'm an avid fan of boxing and even I don't really know who he is cause noone cares about the featherweight class.... No such thing as bad publicity.
If you don't care about the Featherweights then you aren't a real avid boxing fan like you claim to be.
Lennox Lewis should sue you for slander.
I'm pretty sure everyone has already realized you are just making stuff up.
This was in response to Joeyt he marine
I wouldn't count your eggs before they hatch. I am prior military and reported an O-4 and a E-6 for some inappropriate behavior along with a bunch of other things, needless to say both were court martialed, not every enlisted member is dumb, some of us know how to collect evidence and facts. You may think you are hiding who you really are, but there is always someone looking over your shoulder. People talk and speculate and you can't always cover your trail. Your over inflated ego will be your down fall. Tread lightly, because sooner or later your actions will catch up with you.
So, are you saying that you have experience in spearheading witchhunts to root out gay servicemembers in the U.S. military?
Not at all. I was a gay service member!
Freedom still exist in America, including the freedom to stay ignorant and troll the blogs. One comment should always suffice, but useless rants, political shout outs, and hatred spewed like a drunk football fan at a college hometown game night are past thewir prime. All the cool kids have moved on to more meaningful things to do that actually can help America. Grow up. Please. Thanks. Congrats to the boxer. It:s liberating not having to hide any longer.
@joey marine he's puerto to an he's born with us citizenship
complete and total moron
the "man" has 2 loses on his record. he wont be beating up any REAL MAN. Besides, all hs wins were against other gay boxers lol
Thanks for holding up the old stereotype of marines letting any moron in.......
Just shut up? Not smart enough for a comeback? Hence why I didn't join the marines and it was probably the only branch that would take you....
joke is not on me because i get paid very well with your tax dollars. and at the same time it is my RIGHT to dislike whoever i want. so jokes on you to keep paying me until 2014!
@Joeymarine no one cares what your rank is in the marines!! Or what u think about blacks and gays! Vote OBAMA 2012!
seriously is cruz in america legally?
I don't have a problem with him being gay in any way, shape or form. I am glad for his peace of mind that he came out. My problem is that as anyone who watches professional fighting knows, there is a LOT of blood – has he considered that if he bleeds and is HIV positive that the fighter he is in the ring with is being exposed to HIV/Aids?
Since HIV/Aids is transmitted through blood, I would not be willing to take that risk to be in a ring with him.
Some of you folks really have an antiquated understanding of AIDS in Gay Men. Not every gay man has AIDS. In fact most don't. Yes it started in the gay community. Plenty of Straight men have aids. I'm gay and live in NYC and none of the gay men I know have AIDS and yes they get tested.
It's still the highest risk group. If I were a boxer i wouldn't box him for that reason. Maybe they should have a gay division.
Ignorance....you dont think the WBO tests for these diseases?
Actually gay males are not the highest risk group for HIV and AIDS. In fact, the group of people that are at highest risk are STRAIGHT African American men. The virus spread to the straight community, and since MOST gay men are responsible and get tested, the numbers of exposure and infection dropped significantly below the overall straight population. So if anything, I would be more nervous boxing the black man opposite me than the gay man who is statistically more aware of his health and disease status. IGNORANCE IS BLISS...YOU MUST ALL BE A LITTLE LESS HAPPY NOW...
cruz would probably like the MMA better...lots of holding...
Hopefully they have a good aids testing policy for professional boxers.
google is your friend.
Its well known that jesus was gay. "He took a young boy wrapped in linen cloth into his bed room and emerged the next day". Not only was he gay he was a sandusky.
romney ryan 2012
thank you for adding Romney/Ryan 2012 after each of your moronic posts so at least people can see what type of trash are supporting the Republican ticket. Keep up the good work.
Read the Bible again. Jesus would not vote. Period.
I can't stop laughing!!
Romney2012, its people like you that give the rest of us a bad name! I am a Republican and Christian. I don't feel the need to spew such nastiness and quite frankly, I don't think God would approve of it either. If you don't have something nice to say...don't say anything at all...PLEASE!
Hooking red herrings is no way to go through life, folks. Well-played Romney 2012.
Romney2012, I say this with as much love as I can, and I speak as an ordained minister of more than 30 years experience: You epitomize the ignorance of some religious people. Not a word of what you said is true. So sad.
This is crazy. This should be about Mr. Cruz.
Congrats Mr. Cruz! So happy you can finally be yourself. You're an inspiration to so many for being brave enough to stand up for what's right. I wish you all the best!!!
Wheeee... I just love it when I am in the clinch with my opponent!
Oh yes, it's sp inspiring when a person anounces that they are gay...This country is becoming so sick that you think something like that is positive. I think you're a little sick for thinking that.
You -> >:*(
Keep on pouting, this stuff is only going to become more common in the future.
Congratulations to Mr Cruz.
"This country is becoming so sick that you think something like that is positive."
And you are just as sick, if not more so, to think that someone finally coming out and professing their ho...mo....se....x.....uality to the world is negative.
Bad troll is bad
Romney2012, you are a joke who's looking for attention any way you can. I don't believe for a second you believe what you're saying. Are you related to Ann Coulter?
You actually think Jesus would vote for Romney? After the money lenders at the temple? After the camel through the eye of the needle quote? And especially for breaking the ten commandments?
What freedoms are you referring to? What exactly has President Obama done to America?
he ruined it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Really, how can one man 'fix' people!!! Romney is NOT even a Christian!! Only God can bring people out of any and all issues.
From a previous comment: "You can always tell who secretly has gay tendencies. Simply observe how strongly they try to condemn gays. It's very telling and speaks volumes about them!"
Any other commenters on here come to mind? JOEYMARINE perhaps?? AKA the closet pole smoker! hehehe
Another example of why the Marines should not take folks with only a GED.
You can always tell who secretly has gay tendencies. Simply observe how strongly they try to condemn gays. It's very telling and speaks volumes about them!
Your comment speaks volumes about how ridiculous your mindset is in that your statement is completely illogical. Add to that the fact you didn't even substantiate the claim.
"Add to that the fact you didn't even substantiate the claim." – Neither did you, you just said he/she was illogical and left it at that. Your statement is as weak as his/hers.
Your name speaks volumes about your worldview.
Oh my dear Lord...
Absolutely correct. In psychology is called "projection." (outwardly projecting those traits with which we feel subconsciously uncomfortable)
It's a known fact that those who speak the loudest sure have skeletons in their closet! Many leading medical and psychological teams have declared that those who openly oppose gays are the very ones who want to look straight and are having a hard time justifying that to themselves or to others so they have to go out and criticize those who are out. Problem is these 'closet queens' are simply and truly Gut-less! You need to get a grip and admit you like guys already!
joeymarine, I guess you are packing your a bags then!
He's having something packed but it doesn't appear to be his bags...
If you truly want to stop gays you will have to get straight parents from giving birth to gay kids. It has been happening since the beginning of time.
Good luck with that...
What prehistoric rock did you just slime up from under? Go to school and get an education.
I'm glad you liked Romney in the debate- he put on a great show! If you really want to know who he cares about, watch the 47% video where he showed his true colors. He will no doubt help out all his corporate cronies, and unless you're one of them, DON"T ASK MITT for help. Mitt is truly the HUMAN CHAMELEON.
Are you serious with this? I can't believe you just turned this young man's coming out article into politics. This article was on the ESPN Boxing page too... how come you didn't go there and blast Obama? How come you didn't go there and preach about GOD?
The great FlipFlopper- RomneyRyan – Vote for them now, 'cause they might change their minds later.
You have not been following him Joey, I was hoping he would be something, but he has changed his mind so much, I just don't know what to believe. I don't follow party affiliations.
You don't understand why people say Romney flip flops? Seriously? This guy has taken both sides of almost every issue, and it's right there on YouTube for anyone to view. You can actually splice together a fairly long video of Romney debating Romney – what he said then vs. what he's saying now.
Romney has zero personal integrity, and will say practically anything to get more votes.
You know RomneyRyan are only saying that to get your vote. Once in office they will not turn back to Dont ask dont tell. You guys will be highly disappointing if he wins, he will grant amnesty to thousands of illegals (he already said he would not turn back the dream act), he will not roll back Dont ask, Dont tell, and he will not eliminate Obamacare (its what he said in the debate).
A great leader that flip flops?? Neither gives me great confidence, Obama, or Romney and I am still undecided to be honest. What I did not like is how he took very conservative stances and now he is changing them, his comments where he confessed he was wrong. I mean how can you tell what his position really his, and what else he might be wrong on. Not a very confident leader when you flip flop, TV is just that, a producer to prep him and one good night does not equal a track record of leadership.
Uneducated, ill informed, bigoted redneck moron. Thank god the intelligent vastly outnumber the likes of you. Start building your bunker my friend because the minorities are about to become the majority. Luckily for you and your ilk, they won't seek retribution.
Thank you. I immediately picked up on that as well.
Surprise surprise- a racist for Romney.
Sounds like someone's got a little crush goin on!
This is not about you and your political views, sorry
Education is a great tool, you should try it sometime.
not right now...im watching gay boxing...
Now he can live his life. Be what you want and don't worry about the rest. It is your life and you should be happy.
Good for you Orlando! Proud of your courage, you will save children's lives because of this. Bravo!!
either way he is still a brilliant boxer, i dont see the necessity point of this, besides maybe publicity for the next fight.
So funny and ironic, the gay haters posting here would probably fall down, p!$$ their drawers and start to cry like a little girl if the Boricua brother nailed them hard on the boogerbox with a right hook.
Since when are children straight or gay??????
I feel sorry for this world.
The only point of this story is to show all of the kiddies at home that they too can be gay and proud. The only problem is the ending....Historically speaking...Thumbing one's nose at God results in total annihilation.
lol, "god" has never anhilated anything ever. Humans on the other hand are more than capable of unbridled hate and bigotry that results in murder.
Please don't try to forbid marriage amongst those our Lord God created gay...
1 Timothy 4:1-5
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart
from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings
of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are
seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God
created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know
the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be
rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the
word of God and prayer.
Very wrong application of this Scripture because previous Scriptures referencing marriage make it very clear that a man will leave his parents and cleave with his wife. You know, Adam and Eve (not Adam and Steve).
MuyGuapo The Holy Bible clearly warns us of false teachers just like you...
2 Peter 2:1-3
2:1) But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them —bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2) Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3) In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
MuyGuapo- well we all know how Eve screwed it all up for Adam in that creation myth. How did they populate the planet with 2 male children again?
End the hate, direct that statement back at yourself– false prophet.
Ho hum.
Won't his opponent be charged with a Hate Crime now?
American Indians called their gays Two Spirits. They also sat around the campfire and debated if a TS was born that way or it came to them in a dream vision later in life.
That's juth thooper!! I know he could whip my ath!! I'd let him. Tho yummy!!!
Gays a born, not made. In 20 years, genetic manipulation will eliminate many genetic flaws and the gay gene will be one of them. In 100 years, there will be no more gays. Before that, tests will be developed that will (like with other genetic problems) allow parents to determine if a child will be gay. No parent will want to bring a gay child to term. Foreigners are already using ultrasound to abort female children in huge numbers. No way people capable of that will let a gay kid come to term.
i would have a baby knowing it was going to be gay. and, being gay is not a genetic flaw. you're an idiot.
Ummmm....Richie, fortune telling is a sin and perfectly meaningless besides. But if it makes you feel better doing it, that's what really counts.
I hope so OP, that'd be a wonderful reality.
Yes, a perfect reality. No gays, no women. Wait, how would that work again?
Good luck trying to get boxers to fight you. No Boxer wants to risk getting AIDS by coming in contact with your unclean filthy body. Go join a gay boxing club
dude, they have already fought a gay boxer - and got their butts whipped. that's why he's the fourth-ranked fighter in the WBO's featherweight. get real.
It's always nice when idiots make themselves so quickly known. Takes the guesswork out of it.
The only problem is that this idiot HASN'T made himself known. He wouldn't say crap like that if he had to specify his real name and location.
Mark, you were digging around inside your nose when they covered AIDS in health class, weren't you??
Whooa, look out, internet tough guy here. Love to see if you'd dare say that to his face.
oh well now he can wear those pink shorts he's been hiding in the closet!
Hey muscalito – why don't Y O U get in the ring with Orlando; or say that to his face "Tough Guy".
Hey, Orlando... I'm a straight male and I just want you to know that I applaud you and salute you.
Best wishes!
it's about time!!! we all KNOW many athletes are gay. I hope this leads to many more coming out
but this is really small potatoes, we will know it is truly a free society when rednecks can come out as stooooooopid
"after discussing it with my wife and my sister (same woman) and getting the support of my family I have decided to stop hiding the truth........ I am a proud stoooopid american"
aaaaaaah that'll be the day
universal civil rights for ALL!!!
In the next couple of decades society will look back and wonder how people could be so bigoted.
Isn't it hard to slap someone with those gloves on?
Congradulations on your recent revelations and maybe one day thanks to you and others, it will not be such a big deal. It can never be a good thing to lie about who you really are.
GREAT FOR HIM! Inspirational...there is NEVER SHAME in being who you are. Great job Orlando!
So Selmers, they are supposed to cover up and lie about him being gay? Or what? This is about breaking down stereotypes, like the kind the bigot "bubba rydel" is trying to perpetuate. Kinda hard to see gay people as being just like everyone else if you allow those stereotypes to endure.
Michael, you do realize that this generation of kids is pretty David is gay stereotypes, right?
Many of them have gay friends and most are accepting of gay marriage. The posters before actually has a decent point.
We are starting to come to that point as a society where many young people say, "a gay boxer? So what?"
Just like interracial marriages have exploded. People don't even think twice about it in many places in America.
I love it. On one hand, we are told we have to see people for who they are, not if they are gay, straight, black, white, etc... Unless it sells headlines. Right CNN?
Get help, you sad little man.
big sissy. he has no place in the ring. go join a knitting class. what a punk.
Say that to his face you coward.
I'd be careful leaving the trailer park, it's a big bad world out here and all the gays men I know spend alot of time at the gym, I'd keep your derision to yourself and your fat buttt ugly wife
...Bubba rydel...come out from behind the protection of your avatar and Cruz is gonna knit you into a world of pain...
Gay boxer comes out fighting........get it?