Puerto Rican and openly gay professional boxer Orlando Cruz is no stranger to fighting the great fight, not only personally but professionally -- and this Saturday he hopes to make history as the first gay boxer to take home the world title.

"Now it's my time. People think I'm not strong enough. They doubt me. They wonder if a gay man can win a world title," he told The Guardian. "The skeptics will see what I am capable of on October 12."

He will be in the ring with fellow veteran and Mexican boxer, Orlando Salido in a fight for a piece of the featherweight title as part of the Timothy Bradley vs. Juan Manuel Marquez event in Las Vegas.

The fight will be captivating on many levels. Cruz, a left-hander, has 20-2-1 with 10 knockouts will be up against Salido, who has a lot more experience under his belt, not to mention winning belts -- he has two reigns as a champion.

Cruz' clothing and boxing gloves for Saturday night's fight are indeed packed with a punch.

The boxer will don rainbow-colored boxing trunks in support of the LGBT community. The boxing trunks also incorporate the design of the Puerto Rican flag, which stirred up controversy because the flag incorporates the rainbow colors. Cruz insists he didn't mean any harm and that it's only a symbol of his pride and love of Puerto Rico. He will also have and pink and black boxing gloves in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"I'm fighting for my family, my trainer, my team, everyone who wrote to me around the world since I came out, as well as the lesbian-gay-bi-transgender community," Cruz said. "They all brought grains of sand to the dream I've built. But I want to dedicate this fight to Emile Griffith. He had to live with the stigma of being black when there was such prejudice. And he was gay. He suffered from double prejudice - and the second was even worse because he kept it secret so long. He was a brave man, and a great champion, and so I want to win the world title for Emile."

Emile Griffith, the former welterweight and middleweight champion, who passed away in July, described himself later in life as "straight, gay and bisexual, but never fought as an openly gay man."

Cruz, who came out last year, has already championed his personal life by finding the love of his life.

Three months ago, he proposed to his partner, José Manuel, on Facebook. "I'd like to say, and share it with your friends, and my friends: 'Do you want to marry me?' It's an important step, a step I've thought about, a step we've thought about ..." reports The Guardian. José, who is older than Cruz and an engineer, accepted and told Cruz: "I love and adore you."

"I came in after a long run and just did it. It was very spontaneous," Cruz said. "Life is much more positive for me now. I have my boyfriend. I have so much support. I'm much more confident. My marriage can happen in a year or two, but a world title fight against Salido is a once-in-a-lifetime chance."

Marriage between gay men is banned in Puerto Rico, as in many U.S. states, so they would have to marry in New York.

Cruz revealed a story to The Guardian about the homophobic murder of a close friend, a transvestite, in San Juan. "It happened two years ago and I will think of all the people who died in these hate crimes. But winning the fight will be the strongest message I can give."

Regardless of the outcome of the fight on Saturday, Cruz has demonstrated many admirable strengths throughout his journey that he should be proud of thus far.

"Everything I've been through has taken me to this point," he said. "It's the most important fight of my life. I'm a gay man, but I'm also a boxer. My two worlds have come together and I will fight with all my heart. The world knows the truth about me as a man. Now the world will see the truth about me as a fighter. I'm ready. This is my time."