Orlando Cruz: First Openly Gay Boxer

Pro featherweight champions coming out in a 'macho' sport

Orlando Cruz, a 2000 Olympian and professional boxing champ, has become the first openly gay fighter in the sport's history since revealing his sexual orientation in an interview with The Associated Press.

Cruz, who turned pro in 2000 after representing Puerto Rico in the Olympics, told the AP that he is a "proud gay man."

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"I kept this hidden for many, many years," he said. "I developed physically and mentally to take such a big step in my life and in my profession, which is boxing, knowing that it would have pros and cons, highs and lows in this sport that is so macho."

Cruz, who ranks fourth among the World Boxing Organization's class of featherweights, boasts a record of 18-2-1 with nine career knockouts. From 2000 to 2009, he did not lose a single fight.

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