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The Panel on Rainbow Laces: Is boxing a good example of an LGBT-inclusive sport?

Nicola Adams: Looking to win a world title in 2018
Image: Nicola Adams is one of Britain's most popular sportswomen and has always been open about being bisexual

To mark the Rainbow Laces campaign activity this month, we asked The Panel if they thought boxing was a good example of an LGBT-inclusive sport.

During Rainbow Laces week, national teams, leading clubs, top athletes, fans and grassroots players from across sport are showing their support for the inclusion of people who are LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) and the importance of fighting homophobia.

One of Britain's most popular sportswomen, two-time Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams, has always been open about being bisexual and told GQ magazine last year that she had never encountered homophobia in boxing. Adams is now engaged to be married to fellow boxer Marlen Esparza.

In 2012, Orlando Cruz became the first male boxer to come out as gay while still active professionally, and was widely praised for helping to break down stereotypes in the sport.

However, in recent years, several high-profile incidents of homophobic language used by fighters have put boxing under the microscope with regards to LGBT inclusion.

So, we asked The Panel for their views. Is boxing setting the standard for LGBT acceptance in sport?

Carl Froch

Carl Froch

I hope everyone is getting the same opportunity as anyone else. If they can fight and are a good fighter, I will applaud them and if they aren't very good, I will say that. It doesn't matter what sexuality they are. It's a tough sport for anyone and everyone that gets into it.

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Boxing should look at Kellie Maloney, one of the best-known promoters back in the day. It was three years ago that she began her transition. Recently I was asked about that, and I could tell the person asking me was expecting me to make a joke. Far from it.

Image: Kellie Maloney managed Lennox Lewis to become world heavyweight champion, before coming out as transgender in 2014

Maloney was a woman trapped in a man's body and the way she came to the forefront, in the public eye, going through it all? That was amazing. I don't care what you are, do, or look like. To go through something like that transition, and not feel you've got to hide away, takes some doing.

You had to and still have to give Maloney so much credit. It showed huge courage and for anyone to do that, all I can do is applaud them. You can't discriminate against gender or sexuality anywhere - in life, or in boxing.

Jamie Moore

Jamie Moore

I'm a big believer that everyone deserves to live their life the way they want to, in the sport of boxing or anywhere else. I'm not proud to say it, but I have no experience of scenarios that would make me know if this sport is doing the right thing yet.

I'd have no issues about working with and dealing with anyone who is gay, bisexual, anything - quite the opposite. I'd actually welcome it, but I do think there are still understanding and acceptance problems, not just in boxing, but everywhere.

Rainbow Laces campaign 2017
Image: Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign aims to make sport more inclusive for LGBT people and raise awareness of homophobia

We're only just getting into an era where people are comfortable to come out, and are confident to say 'this is who I am and I'm proud of it'. I don't think there should be a big issue about it. I think we should all be at the point now, that people are just people.

Tony Bellew

At the end of the day, you get punched in the face, and you punch people back in the face. Your sexuality has nothing to do with that.

It's swept under the carpet in the likes of football, the NFL, boxing, any kind of combat sport. It's kind of like a stigma. I just don't get it, personally. A good fighter is a good fighter, regardless of his sexuality.

I rate Nicola Adams the exact same as I rate Katie Taylor. You can either fight or you can't. Your sexuality has absolutely no bearing on that.

Spencer Oliver

Spencer Oliver

It's become accepted in society, so why should it not be accepted within the boxing world?

You are what you are, it's not a choice that people are given, and you should not be judged for that.

Boxing is just a job, just like whatever anyone chooses to do, and you should not be singled out because of your sexuality.

David Coldwell

Dave Coldwell

If you can fight, you can fight, so it shouldn't make any difference. Times have changed, or they should have changed, but the problem is there is still an element of people that have got hang-ups about all sorts of things.

Some people don't like whether you're black, or Asian. Some don't even like whether you're short or tall. There's always something that people aren't happy about - and sexuality is just the same.

You are what you are, and you have to live your life, because otherwise it causes mental stress. There are so many instances that you see of people with mental health issues and that is because of stress and the pressures they are under in today's world.

Nicola Adams at Elland Road
Image: Adams won gold medals in the flyweight division at London 2012 and Rio 2016 before turning professional

If you feel that you can't be yourself and you're having to suppress yourself, that's not a good life to lead. There should be more acceptance.

I don't even look at Nicola Adams as gay or straight. I just look at Nicola Adams as another female fighter, like Katie Taylor and Natasha Jonas. She's won loads for amateur boxing, taken the golds, represented her country fantastically and has now turned professional.

You can keep up to date with our digital coverage of the Rainbow Laces campaign throughout the week at skysports.com/rainbowlaces - and remember to grab a pair of laces for you and your friends and team-mates!

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