Orlando Cruz losses fight in Las Vegas, fails to become first openly gay champion, but His efforts will go far beyond this boxing match. Millions of gays that are still in denial will take one small step forward to be open in their gay choice. 10 years from now when there is no mention of a gay boxers gay lifestyle, They can thank Orlando Cruz. But there was another Orlando in this fight, the one that Everyone forgot about, Orlando Salido, the one that won the fight.
Salido didn’t really want to get caught up in the gay headlines, He would prefer the talk be about boxing but He knew it wouldn’t be. Salido just wanted a chance to win a second world title.
Salido was the heavier puncher in the October 12 fight, eventually breaking down Cruz for a seventh-round TKO to win a vacant featherweight title at the Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas.
Salido got caught up in something that was bigger than boxing, but one day He will realize that His name will be forever attached to something very special to the gay community.
Judges, Lawyers, Doctors, Actors, Senators, Mayors, Justin Beiber and many others that struggle with choices can thank Orlando Cruz for His bravery.