I AM HOMOSEXUAL” SAID BOXER ORLANDO CRUZ TO DEPORTES TELEMUNDO’S JESSI LOSADA IN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, BECOMING THE FIRST ACTIVE OPENLY GAY PROFESSIONAL BOXER IN HISTORY
Candid Interview to Air on “Titulares Telemundo” on Saturday, October 6 at 11:00PM ET/PT, 10:00PM CT
Telemundo Press Release – Miami – October 4, 2012- In an exclusive interview with Telemundo’s sportscaster Jessi Losada, Orlando Cruz, the current World Boxing Organization (WBO) Latino Featherweight champion, came out as a “homosexual” becoming the first active openly gay boxer in the history of the sport. The tell-all exclusive interview will broadcast on “Titulares Telemundo” this Saturday, October 6 at 11:00PM ET/PT, 10:00PM CT (In some markets after the local newscast). Below are some of the highlights:
-“I am homosexual…It was hard at the beginning…but I always have had God with me, and it is the right time for this to come to light.”
-“I am not doing it for the rating. I am not doing it to become famous. I am doing it because I want to be myself. I want to be free. I want to be respected. I don’t want to be judged.”
-“I have thought of the children who have been bullied and rejected at school, that have been abused, and I want to be an example for them; to be an example for those people who are…in the closet, as they say.”
Cruz, a professional boxer from San Juan, Puerto Rico, is currently ranked No. 4 by the WBO in the featherweight division. He began boxing at the age of seven, and posted an amateur career record of 178-11. He won seven Puerto Rican National Titles, and spent four years on The Puerto Rican National Team winning seven gold, one silver and two bronze medals. He also represented his country in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Cruz (18-2-1, 9 KOs) made his professional debut on December 15, 2000 and won his first title on March 22, 2008 (vacant IBA Featherweight Title) followed by a regional title on October 14, 2011 (WBO Latino Featherweight title).
His next fight is scheduled for October 19th at the Kissimmee Civic Center in Kissimmee, Florida where he looks to defend his belt against Jorge Pazos of Mexico. The 12-round bout will be broadcast exclusively Friday, October 19th on “Boxeo Telemundo” at 11:35PM ET/PT, 10:35PM CT.
“Titulares Telemundo” (Saturdays at 11:00PM ET/PT, 10:00PM CT) is a live, half-hour sports show that features the best highlights and news from the week. Anchored by legend sportscaster, Jessi Losada, the show speaks directly to the true sports fans with a special focus on soccer and boxing. “Titulares Telemundo” also delivers extensive baseball, football, and basketball coverage, up-to-date team standings, key match-ups for upcoming games, interviews and much more.
