Life is all about firsts for Orlando Cruz. Last year, the Puerto Rican became the first openly gay boxer. Now he’s the first homosexual athlete to propose to his significant other using a social media service.
Cruz (20-2-1, 10 KOs) recorded this proposal video for boyfriend Jose Manuel and posted it on his Facebook.
“I wanted to tell you how much I need you and how much I miss you,” Cruz says to Manuel in the video, via translation from NBC Latino. “I know you are a person that means a lot to me and that supports my career and respects it which is very important, but above all you are always there giving me that push that I need. Now more than ever that I have an important fight coming up for the world championship.
“I want to tell you that you are a very special person in my life. I am a little nervous, but I want to tell you and share with your friends and my friends if you want to marry me. I want you to be part of my life and me be part of yours.”
Cruz referenced his big fight coming up. He is facing Orlando Salido in October for the vacant WBO featherweight title. The good news is his spirits should be uplifted going into the fight now that his boyfriend accepted the proposal in a video of his own.
“I want to say yes,” Manuel said in his video response, via NBC Latino. “I accept marrying you because I love you and adore you. Yes, I do want to marry you because I love you, I love you, I love you very much. We will keep going forward and you will see how happy we will be. I love you papi from my heart.”
Cruz said after coming out last year that he wanted to make peace with himself and hoped the announcement would make him a better fighter. We have to imagine taking the next step in his relationship will only help him with his athletic career.
Photo: Twitter/Orlando Cruz
H/T For The Win
