Puerto Rican lightweight Orlando Cruz said he is not only fighting for himself but also for the gay community.

Cruz, who came out in 2012 as boxing’s first openly gay fighter, will challenge lightweight world titleholder Terry Flanagan on Saturday (beIN Sports Espanol, 11 p.m. ET, same-day tape) at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales.

“Terry Flanagan is a true world champion and will defend his title with everything he has. However, I am prepared and ready for victory and to be crowned the new world champion. I want to inspire the gay community by becoming a world champion on Saturday,” Cruz said this week. “Terry is a great champion and a real people’s person. More importantly, he respects my life and my choices.

“He sees the man boxing him and that is it. Everyone has been very supportive since I came out three years ago. I have the support of my family, friends and fans.”

Cruz, 35, who was a 2000 Olympian for Puerto Rico, lost his first shot at a world title, getting knocked out by then-featherweight titlist Orlando Salido in the seventh round in October 2013 in Las Vegas. Six months later, Cruz lost a 10-round decision to Gamalier Rodriguez.

Since then, Cruz (25-4-1, 13 KOs), a southpaw, has won five fights in a row at junior lightweight. He will be moving up from the 130-pound division to the 135-pound lightweight division to face Flanagan.

“When I look at my story, it makes me hopeful that more people will be inspired to come out,” Cruz said. “Right now my focus is fully on the big fight on Saturday and winning the WBO lightweight belt. I’ve been feeling the love from the British people since I arrived here on Monday. Everyone has been very welcoming to me and I have nothing but respect for them. I am very happy to be here in Cardiff and fighting for another world title.”

Flanagan (31-0, 12 KOs), a 27-year-old southpaw from England who will be making his fourth title defense, hopes to take care of Cruz and then move on to a bigger fight — perhaps a unification against the winner of an expected rematch between champion Jorge Linares and Anthony Crolla, Flanagan’s Manchester, England rival.

He said he respects Cruz’s lifestyle, but that it makes no difference to him.

“Look, it was very brave of Orlando to come out, but I’m not interested in either his sexuality or his personal life,” Flanagan said. “I’m only interested in him as a boxer; an opponent. He’s a good fighter, but I’m going to deal with him.”