Gay pro boxer believes he can become national champion after winning another fight
Oscar Bonifacino talks to Outsports after his latest success in the boxing ring, and explains why he likes to be seen in the color pink. The post Gay pro boxer believes he can become national champion after winning another fight appeared first on Outsports.
Mark
Uruguayan boxer Oscar “The Beast” Bonifacino preserved his undefeated record last weekend and says he is setting his sights on becoming national champion.
The 21-year-old, who publicly came out as gay after his first pro boxing fight nearly a year ago, put in a display of resilience and raw power in his hometown of Maldonado to see off the challenge of Argentina’s Carlos Daniel Alarcón.
Bonifacino overcame early adversity to secure a spectacular technical knockout (TKO) victory in a featherweight contest that was televised live.
“I’m super happy to have achieved my goal,” he told Outsports. “These fights are trials by fire. I like them. they’re the ones that help me grow in my career.”
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Alarcón demonstrated superior precision to dictate the pace, and in the second round, he landed a sharp right hand that sent Bonifacino to the canvas.
However, “The Beast” refused to back down, and the momentum shifted violently in the closing moments of the third round when he connected with a devastating left cross to the chin, flooring Alarcón and electrifying the home crowd.
As in previous fights, Bonifacino was again in rainbow, with Pride flags on his jacket and his white-and-pink shorts. His hair was dyed to match.
“Pink is my favorite color, and it’s the color that defines my two sides: my personal side and my reality in the ring,” he explained.
By the fourth round, Bonifacino had found his rhythm. He relentlessly pressured Alarcón against the ropes, unleashing a flurry of combinations that resulted in another knockdown.
Though Alarcón showed immense heart by returning to his feet, the Uruguayan’s onslaught was too much to withstand. With just 20 seconds remaining in the fourth, referee Matías Morales intervened to save the Argentine from further punishment, declaring a technical knockout.
The victory cements Bonifacino’s status as a rising force in the featherweight division, proving he has both the chin to survive a knockdown and the power to end a fight in an instant.
@oscar_bonifacino Una más, 4-0-0(3ko) que guerra #parati #fyp #uruguay
#lgbt #argentina
♬ El Dia de Mi Suerte | Type Beat – ProdByRozhes
He will face a fellow countryman next in Fernan Alvaro Correa. They are due to meet in Montevideo on Mar. 26.
“My objective is to become Uruguayan champion, but for that, I have to pass another test against the undefeated Correa,” explained Bonifacino.
After Outsports’ interview with the young fighter last August, his story of being a pro fighter who’s gay became more widely known and was picked up by international media.
@oscar_bonifacino Primero Dios, después el resto. Gracias señor #parati #uruguay
MeloMiusic_
He’s South America’s first out gay boxer, and is embracing his status as an LGBTQ role model in sports. He wants to inspire other gay and bi men who may want to follow in his footsteps but who are scared to come out in the macho world of boxing.
“I love that my message reaches all those people who believe they can’t achieve something because of who they choose to be,” he said. “Happiness always comes first.”
With that pink streak in his hair, a fast-growing social media presence of around 60,000 followers, and plenty of self-confidence, Oscar Bonifacino is undoubtedly one to watch.
Clearly, his biggest challenge yet awaits him against Correa. He will remain true to himself, whatever happens.
“We have to fight for our dreams. It doesn’t matter who we choose to be as long as we do good; the rest doesn’t matter.
“I want to continue spreading the message of freedom and give visibility to our community, which really needs this: more support and greater acceptance!”
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The post Gay pro boxer believes he can become national champion after winning another fight appeared first on Outsports.
