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Orlando Cruz, Puerto Rico Gay Boxer, To Marry

August 15, 2013

Puerto Rican boxer Orlando Cruz has proposed marriage to his partner after announcing last year that he is gay.

Cruz made his proposal on his Facebook page, and his boyfriend accepted.

"I'd like to say, and share it with your friends, and with my friends: Do you want to marry me?" Cruz said on a video of about 2 minutes posted on the social media site on Wednesday. "It's an important step, it's a step I've thought about, it's a step that we have thought about."

Cruz also mentioned the proposal on his Twitter account, saying that he had taken an important step in his life and that he wants happiness for him and his partner as a couple.

Puerto Rican gay activist Pedro Julio Serrano, spokesman for the U.S.-based National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said he will serve as the godfather at the couple's wedding.

The timing and location of the wedding was unknown. Same-sex marriage is not allowed in Puerto Rico, or in Florida, where Cruz has a home.

Cruz announced his sexual orientation in October, becoming what is believed to be the first pro boxer to come out as openly homosexual while still competing.

The boxer is a featherweight fighter and is 20-2-1 with 10 knockouts.

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As translated by NBC Latino, Cruz said this in his video proposal:

“I wanted to tell you how much I need you and how much I miss you,” Cruz started the message. “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.”

In a similar video reply, Manuel accepted his proposal:

“I accept marrying you because I love you and adore you,” Manuel responded. “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.”

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