Orlando Cruz has already made history as the first openly-gay professional boxer, but he's looking to take things one step further by becoming the first gay World Champion as well.

Cruz will have his chance to claim victory this Saturday in a match against WBO World Lightweight champion Terry Flanagan.

Cruz acknowledges Flanagan is a great boxer "who will defend his title with everything he has," but says there's an even bigger reason why he admires his opponent.

"He respects my life and my choices," Cruz told Boxing Scene about Flanagan. "He sees the man boxing him and that is it."

The boxer said he was mostly met with support from family and friends when he decided to come out three years ago, but he doesn't let the anti-gay slurs from less-accepting boxing fans get to him.

"I don't care if they say, 'Orlando Cruz is gay. Faggot.' I don't care," he told CNN. "I look at my family when I walk in the ring. I look at my mum, sister, I look at my brother. I don't care, you know, I'm just focused on my family."

This year he'll also be able to look out at his husband, Jose, who will reportedly be watching him from the stands, and he hopes that his openness about his sexuality will help to make an impact no matter the outcome of Saturday's fight.

"When I look at my story, it makes me hopeful that more people will be inspired to come out," Cruz said. "[But] right now, my focus is fully on the big fight."

h/t: Towleroad