Boxing has always been the ultimate test of masculinity: or at least, that's what the sport wants you to believe. It's blood, sweat, and testosterone wrapped in leather gloves and machismo. For decades, the ring has been one of the last bastions of hypermasculine culture, where being "tough" meant fitting into a very specific, very straight mold.
But here's the thing about molds: they're meant to be broken. And a handful of incredibly brave athletes have stepped into the ring not just to fight opponents, but to challenge the very culture of boxing itself. These are the gay boxers who've traded blows while breaking barriers, proving that strength comes in many forms: and that authenticity is the ultimate knockout punch.
If you're a fan of MM romance, you know the power of these narratives. The vulnerable tough guy. The man who's strong enough to be himself. The fighter who battles not just in the ring, but against a world that doesn't want to accept him. Sound familiar? That's because the real stories of gay boxers mirror the best MM romance books we devour: raw, emotional, and triumphant against all odds.
The Early Rounds: Boxing's LGBTQ+ Pioneers
Let's rewind the tape. Long before rainbow flags appeared in boxing gyms, there was Charles "The Pink Pounder" Jones from Great Britain, recognized as the first openly out boxer in the world. Details about his era are murky, but his nickname alone tells you he didn't hide who he was: even when the world wasn't ready to see it.
Then there's Emile Griffith, a bisexual boxer from the U.S. Virgin Islands who became a world champion across multiple weight classes. His story is both inspiring and heartbreaking. In 1962, during the weigh-in for his title match against Benny Paret, Griffith endured a homophobic slur from his opponent. The fight that followed was brutal: Paret died from injuries sustained in the ring. Griffith carried the weight of that tragedy for the rest of his life, later saying he killed a man because of his sexuality.
Griffith's story is a stark reminder: being openly LGBTQ+ in boxing wasn't just about facing discrimination. It could be dangerous. Deadly, even.
The Champion Who Changed Everything
Fast forward to 2012. Orlando Cruz, a Puerto Rican featherweight ranked No. 4 in the world by the WBO, did something no active professional boxer had ever done: he came out publicly as gay.
"I've been fighting for more than 24 years and as I continue my ascendant career, I want to be true to myself," Cruz announced. "I don't want to hide any of my feelings anymore. I want to be who I really am without fear."
Cruz didn't just come out: he stayed in. He kept fighting, winning seven of his first nine fights after his announcement. In 2013, he married his boyfriend, Jose Manuel Colon, in New York's Central Park. In 2016, he competed for what would have been the first openly gay boxing world championship. While he didn't win the title, finishing his career with a record of 25-7-2, he won something bigger: visibility.
But here's the sobering truth: Orlando Cruz remains the only openly gay professional boxer in the world. Let that sink in. One. In the entire sport.
In interviews, Cruz has spoken about the isolation young LGBTQ+ boxers face: "Young male boxers are killing themselves, as they are scared. They have nowhere to turn and depression hits them." His words cut deeper than any jab.
New Contenders Enter the Ring
While Cruz blazed the trail, others have followed: though the path remains narrow and treacherous.
In 2018, Patricio Manuel became the first openly transgender boxer to compete professionally, winning his super featherweight debut. His journey from female boxer to male professional fighter was documented and celebrated, showing that gender identity and athletic prowess aren't mutually exclusive.
Then in February 2025, Oscar Bonifacino, a 21-year-old from Uruguay, made history as the first openly gay professional boxer in South America. After winning his debut by technical knockout in the second round, Bonifacino stood in the ring and declared to the crowd: "I am a free person. I am a gay man." In his second fight, he wore a rainbow belt: not just as a fashion statement, but as a declaration that he wouldn't compartmentalize his identity for anyone's comfort.
Bonifacino represents a new generation: one that refuses to choose between their passion and their identity. It's the kind of courage you find in the best gay romance novels, where characters learn that being fully themselves is the only way to truly win.
The Women Leading the Way
Interestingly, women's boxing and MMA have seen greater LGBTQ+ representation. Nicola Adams, an openly bisexual boxer, won world championship gold in 2016 and was named the most influential LGBTQ+ person by The Independent in 2012. In MMA, fighters like Amanda Nunes have dominated their divisions while being openly out.
The contrast is stark. Women fighters seem to have more room to be themselves, while male boxers remain trapped in the sport's rigid masculinity. It raises an uncomfortable question: why is vulnerability so threatening in men's sports?
The MM Romance Connection
If you're a reader of MM romance, these stories probably feel familiar. The closeted athlete. The fighter hiding his truth. The moment when he finally lets his guard down and discovers that being honest about who he loves makes him stronger, not weaker.
Books like sports romances capture this tension beautifully: the locker room culture, the fear of rejection, the exhilaration of finally being seen. The difference? In fiction, we can guarantee the happy ending. In real life, athletes like Orlando Cruz are still fighting for it.
That's what makes these real-world stories so powerful. They're living, breathing MM romance narratives: complete with the high stakes, emotional vulnerability, and triumphant self-acceptance that make the genre so addictive. But these men aren't fictional characters. They're putting their careers, their safety, and their mental health on the line every time they step into that ring.
Why These Stories Matter
Representation matters. When young LGBTQ+ people see athletes like Orlando Cruz or Oscar Bonifacino being unapologetically themselves, it sends a message: you can be strong AND gay. You can be masculine AND queer. You don't have to choose.
Boxing is changing: slowly, painfully, but undeniably. Every time a gay boxer steps into the ring, they're throwing a punch at decades of homophobia and toxic masculinity. They're proving that courage isn't about fitting into someone else's definition of manhood. It's about defining it for yourself.
And isn't that what the best LGBTQ+ fiction does too? Stories have power. Whether they're real-life accounts of athletes breaking barriers or gay romance books that let us imagine worlds where love always wins, these narratives shape how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible.
The Final Round
The ring of truth demands more from us than fairy tales. Orlando Cruz shouldn't be the only one. Oscar Bonifacino shouldn't be a novelty. Patricio Manuel's journey should be celebrated, not sensationalized.
Boxing needs more gay athletes to come out. The sport needs to evolve its culture to make that possible. And we, as fans and allies, need to celebrate these fighters not as exceptions, but as the champions they are.
In the meantime, we have their stories: and we have the power of fiction to keep us dreaming and fighting for a better world. At Read with Pride, we're committed to amplifying LGBTQ+ voices, whether they're throwing punches in professional rings or navigating love in the pages of MM romance novels.
Because every story of authenticity, courage, and love: real or fictional: is a victory worth celebrating.
Ready to dive into stories of strength, vulnerability, and love? Explore our collection of MM romance books at readwithpride.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X for daily LGBTQ+ content.
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