Orlando Cruz say he hopes to inspire all gay athletes by defeating Terry Flanagan to win the WBO lightweight title in Cardiff on Saturday.The 35-year-old Puerto Rican has fought nine times since coming out in 2012 and says he hopes his success will give others the courage to open up about their sexuality.Cruz will be fighting at the lightweight limit for the first time on Saturday and would become the first openly gay world champion if he succeeds. He lost a world featherweight title bid against Orlando Salido in Las Vegas in October 2013.Cruz said: I want to inspire the gay community by becoming a world champion on Saturday.Everyone has been very supportive since I came out. I have the support of my family, friends and fans.When I look at my story, it makes me hopeful that more people will be inspired to come out. I want that other [gay] athletes are not scared to walk into the society. Dont be scared. Be happy with your life, and happy with your decision. All people are the same.Right now my focus is fully on the big fight on Saturday and winning the WBO lightweight belt.Saturday will represent Cruzs first fight in Europe in his 30-fight professional career. Since coming out he has fought in both the U.S. and Puerto Rico.And no matter the outcome of the fight the challenger insists the respect between the two men is mutual.Terry is a great champion and a real peoples person, Cruz said of Flanagan, who had previously told ESPN of his admiration of the Puerto Rican.?More importantly, he respects my life and my choices. He sees the man boxing him and that is it. Brandon Marshall Jersey . Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced Wednesday that the team would assign Swedish forward Elias Lindholm to his nations team for the upcoming tournament. Evan Engram Jersey .35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. http://www.nygiantsproshop.com/authentic-davis-webb-jersey.html . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. Mark Bavaro Jersey . -- Hunter Smith scored the winner with just 12 seconds remaining in the third period as the Oshawa Generals edged the host Sarnia Sting 5-4 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Roger Lewis Jersey . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. BEAVER CREEK, Colo. -- The mens World Cup downhill, super-G and giant slalom races at Beaver Creek in two weeks have been canceled because of unseasonably warm weather.The International Ski Federation (FIS) made the decision Thursday on a day when the resort was receiving snow. Its the first time since 2001 that the entire program at Beaver Creek has been scratched, according to the U.S. Ski Team.No makeup dates for the races have been announced.On Wednnesday, FIS said a lack of snow forced the cancellation of the mens World Cup speed races Nov.dddddddddddd 26-27 in Lake Louise, Alberta.It wasnt all bad news for ski racing in North America: FIS confirmed Thursday that the womens World Cup giant slalom and slalom races are a go for Thanksgiving weekend in Killington, Vermont. Wholesale HoodiesNFL Shirts OutletJerseys NFL WholesaleCheap NFL Jerseys Free ShippingWholesale Jerseys CheapCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaWholesale JerseysWholesale NFL JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '