http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/benny_paret/73637 Recent articles about Benny Paret en-us (From left to right: Derry Mathews, promoter Eddie Hearn, Anthony Crolla) Anthony Crolla makes his first competitive start this weekend since the night he almost killed Heywood rival Kieran Farrell. In a suffocating December brawl, the 22-year-old Farrell developed an acute subdural haematoma that threatened his life. He survived but not without consequence. Farrell lost almost a third of his brain, his career and a pitiless dream. The effect on Crolla has yet to be measured. Rarely, though, are the winners of such catastrophes able to proceed unaltered. Former featherweight world champion Barry McGuigan confessed to pulling his punches against Jimmy Duncan after previous foe Young Ali (Asymin Mustapha) fell into a coma and later died in 1982. A tormented Chris Eubank was similarly affected against Thulani Malinga after Michael Watson only narrowly evaded death in their titanic rematch. Junior lightweight world titlist Gabriel Ruelas claimed to have been haunted by the ghost... Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:12:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/british_beat_anthony_crolla_prepares_to_battle_his_demons_along_with_derry_mathews/13265110 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/british_beat_anthony_crolla_prepares_to_battle_his_demons_along_with_derry_mathews/13265110 British Beat: Anthony Crolla Prepares To Battle His Demons Along With Derry Mathews http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/british_beat_anthony_crolla_prepares_to_battle_his_demons_along_with_derry_mathews/13265110 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png (Eds: With AP Photos.) By TIM DAHLBERG AP Sports Columnist For more years than he wanted to count, Orlando Cruz kept it a secret as best he could. He thought he had no choice, because of who he is and what he does. Cruz is a fighter, and a pretty good one at that. He won 179 amateur bouts and represented Puerto Rico in the 2000 Olympics. By the time this year is over, he hopes to hold a piece of the world title at 126 pounds But his legacy won't be defined with wins and losses, or gaudy green belts. Cruz made sure of that last week by saying words no professional boxer had ever dared utter before. ''I have always been, and always will be, a proud gay man,'' Cruz said. The words came easy, because for Cruz it was way past time. He was tired of hiding who he was, tired of trying to pretend he was something else. He came out to the world, and to his next opponent and the one after that. Then he held his breath and waited to see just how far society has really come. It didn't take lo Sun, 07 Oct 2012 19:29:36 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/column_nothing_left_to_hide_for_gay_boxer/11902996 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/column_nothing_left_to_hide_for_gay_boxer/11902996 Column: Nothing left to hide for gay boxer http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/column_nothing_left_to_hide_for_gay_boxer/11902996 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png There have been few professional athletes in any major sport across the entire globe to come out as openly gay during their careers. As such, the widely publicized revelation from boxer Orlando Cruz (18-2-1, 9 KOs) as he prepares for his next fight, against Jorge Pazos on Oct. 19, comes as a huge surprise. It's a story that has reached far beyond the scope of boxing and into the greater sporting and social contexts of our country. Certainly, Cruz has received vastly more attention right now than he ever has at any point in his career, even when he was still riding high as an undefeated Featherweight prospect with a 16-0-1 record. At that time, January 2009, he was coming off a career best win over a then 30-0 Leonilo Miranda. His career took a downward turn at that point, as he lost two consecutive fights by stoppage, first against Cornelius Lock, then against Daniel Ponce de Leon. Credit: Team Cruz Since, Cruz has won two fights in a row, and is ready to try to make it three... Fri, 05 Oct 2012 10:23:22 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/quick_thoughts_boxer_orlando_cruz_comes_out_as_gay/11889013 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/quick_thoughts_boxer_orlando_cruz_comes_out_as_gay/11889013 Quick thoughts: Boxer Orlando Cruz comes out as gay http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/quick_thoughts_boxer_orlando_cruz_comes_out_as_gay/11889013 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Associated Press Describing himself as ''a proud gay man,'' Puerto Rican featherweight Orlando Cruz on Thursday became what is believed to be the first pro boxer to come out as openly homosexual while still competing. Cruz told The Associated Press in an interview that he is happy and relieved about his decision but had some initial reservations. ''I developed physically and mentally to take such a big step in my life and in my profession, which is boxing, knowing that it would have pros and cons, highs and lows in this sport that is so macho,'' he said. ''I kept this hidden for many, many years.'' His announcement comes two weeks before the 31-year-old southpaw challenges Mexican boxer Jorge Pazos for the WBO Latino title. Cruz is currently ranked as the World Boxing Organization's No. 4 featherweight fighter and is 18-2-1 with nine knockouts. Cruz said he met with psychologists and other people before making the announcement, adding that he has the ful Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:42:27 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/puerto_rican_boxer_orlando_cruz_announces_hes_gay/11883157 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/puerto_rican_boxer_orlando_cruz_announces_hes_gay/11883157 Puerto Rican boxer Orlando Cruz announces he's gay http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/puerto_rican_boxer_orlando_cruz_announces_hes_gay/11883157 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Ten Greatest Welterweights in Boxing History All divisions are difficult, but compiling a top-ten for welterweights can be downright painful. The greatest welterweights in history span all eras, which each worked under completely different structures. Comparisons can be difficult considering the different standards that apply. And then even after you come up with the top ten, you cringe when seeing the names of the legends who didn’t make the list. You figure they have to be in the top ten. But where can you can room? At whose expense? As we work our way down to strawweight, this is the first divisional ranking where each member is in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. 1. Sugar Ray Robinson (1940-1965): Sugar Ray Robinson - Public Domain Photo It speaks volumes that in a division so chock-full of hallmark legends, that there is no argument as to the identity of the greatest 147-pounder who ever lived. By the time Robinson left the division, he had cleaned it out en route to a... Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:44:51 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_welterweight_boxers_of_all_time/9958609 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_welterweight_boxers_of_all_time/9958609 Top 10 Best Welterweight Boxers of All-Time http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_10_best_welterweight_boxers_of_all_time/9958609 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png