October 20, 2012 - 1:19 AM
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Orlando Cruz has won his first fight since publicly declaring his homosexuality.
The Puerto Rican featherweight beat Jorge Pazos in a unanimous decision on Friday night.
Cruz (19-2-1, nine KOs) looked confident and at ease, but Pazos (20-4, 13 KOs) held his own much of the match. The judges scored it 118-110, 116-111, 118-110 for Cruz, who celebrated the victory in front of a cheering crowd at the Kissimmee Civic Center outside of Orlando.
Cruz has been surrounded by attention since he came out earlier this month, doing dozens of interviews while receiving praise and support from all corners of sports and society.
The WBO's fourth-ranked featherweight retained his light featherweight title.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012