Orlando Cruz loses World Champion boxing title

Puerto Rican boxer Orlando Cruz was hoping to make history as the first gay world boxing champion but lost the fight yesterday (November 27) against his final opponent, Terry Flanagan in Cardiff.

According to the Guardian, Flanagan took control of the fight and battled Cruz into the ground by the eighth round before the referee stepped in and declared Flanagan as the winner.

Cruz, who came out as gay in 2012, had hoped to inspire the LGBT community with his win.

In previous interviews Cruz stated that he didn’t care what people thought of him: “I am gay and I am the first openly gay boxer, but this has been my career for years. This is my life and I separate my orientation.”

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Cruz’s opponent Terry Flanagan revealed that he was “unfazed” by Cruz’s sexuality.

“Look, it was very brave of Orlando to come ‘come out’ but I’m not interested in either his sexuality or his personal life.”

“I’m only interested in him as a boxer; an opponent.”

There’s always next time, Cruz.

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