By Miguel Rivera
On July 15 in Kissimmee, Florida, the reigning super featherweight champion of the North American Boxing Organization (NABO), Orlando 'The Phenomenon' Cruz, will make sure his voice si heard loud and clear.
The first active boxer in the history of the sport to openly announce his homosexuality, will pay a posthumous tribute to the victims of the June 13th mass-shooting in Orlando.
Cruz, who has a 23-4-1 record and 11 KOs, will face southpaw Alejandro Valdez in the main event of a card promoted by All Star Boxing (ASB) event. Cruz is currently ranked fifth under the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
Since revealing his sexual orientation in 2012, Cruz has become a strong spokesman for the LGBTT community. A week ago, Omar Mateen went to a gay club in Orlando and took the lives of 49 people while 53 others were injured.
"I will fight for my pride as a fighter, but also for my gay community," Cruz told El Vocero. "I can not understand why there is so much hatred against the gay community. We are human and we are not a group. We are all equal. We are all one people."
"Like everyone, I am concerned about the situation that occurred recently where 49 people, including 23 Puerto Ricans died because of the actions of a person who was also gay and frequented the place where he committed the crime. It is sad to think that there are people who do not respect life. Nor can I understand why there is so much hatred and homophobia. I feel sorry and sad, but I will make my voice hear. I will continue being a spokesperson and an example and not push myself back, because we are all equal."
"Before my fight there will be a ten bell salute [for the victims] and all of my attire will also be in honor of those people. I have a friend who was killed among them and another who is currently seriously injured. It is very sad all of this. This is about respect for life. We must create awareness that we are human and that no one deserves to die in that way. My fight against Valdez will be for all of them."
