Gay Boxer Orlando Cruz Will Wear Rainbow Shorts, Pink Gloves in World Title Bout

Orlando Cruz, who became the first openly gay boxer when he came out in 2012, will go into his fight for the featherweight world title wearing rainbow-colored shorts and pink gloves, according to Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports.

The boxer takes on Orlando Salido on the undercard of the Timothy Bradley vs. Juan Manuel Marquez event on October 12.

Cruz's four-fight win streak has earned him a bid for the vacant WBO belt, but the 32-year-old's brave proclamation is what prompted this one-of-a-kind outfit from Everlast. The boxing brand worked together with Cruz on the design in a tribute to the LGBT movement.

Earlier this month, Cruz told Iole that being in the boxing ring was not as scary as being open with his sexuality:

"

Boxing is a macho sport, everyone yelling gay slurs all the time.

I was scared. I was worried about other boxers. I was worried about the fans. I would cry many, many nights thinking about it.

"

Cruz, a 13-year veteran of the sport, is set to marry boyfriend Jose Manuel in New York on November 16, according to Iole.  He has a professional record of 20-2-1 with 10 knockouts in his career.