Las Vegas, Nevada – Tyson Fury may be one of the great boxers of the modern era, but he is also a showman. When it comes to putting on a show, few places are more suited to the role than Las Vegas. Few men revel in the role more than the Gypsy King.
Having dismantled Deontay Wilder in seven rounds to claim the WBC heavyweight title in Las Vegas on Saturday night, the Gypsy King swapped boxing gloves for a microphone as he launched into a rendition of Don McLean’s American Pie. [ Twitter ] [ YouTube ] [ Facebook ]
Singing in front of nearly 16,000 attendees at the MGM Grand Garden Arena may send shivers down even the most confident of amateur singers, but Fury had no such qualms.
After all, he had just ended one of the world’s most powerful puncher’s reign as the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world.
Fury sang for approximately two minutes—the album version comes in at 8 minutes and 33 seconds—urging fans to join in for the chorus and proving he’s a natural entertainer, before ending with, “Thank you, Las Vegas.”
The Briton’s rendition clearly left a lasting impression on viewers and quickly went viral, with the song’s title rocketing up Twitter trends.
The single was the number-one US hit for four weeks in 1972 and the song was a worldwide success. The Recording Industry Association of America listed it as the No. 5 song in its Songs of the Century list at the end of the 20th century.
American Pie has become a staple of Fury’s post-fight performances. When the Gypsy King first fought Wilder in December 2018, he sang a rendition of the tune during the post-bout press conference, asking bemused reporters in attendance to sing along.
The performance at the time had been all the more remarkable considering that barely an hour earlier Fury had been on the receiving end of a one-two combination that had left him seemingly unconscious as he hit the canvas in the 12th round.
The Briton, however, somehow beat the count to earn a split draw and a rematch.
On Saturday night it was Wilder who got knocked down as Fury floored him in the third round with a right hander to the temple and then again in the fifth round with a powerful body shot.
With the Alabama native unsteady on his legs and bleeding from his left ear, Fury methodically picked him apart in the sixth round, before Wilder’s camp threw in the towel with 1:56 gone in the seventh round.
“I hit him with a clean right that dropped him, and he got back up,” Fury said after the fight. “He is a warrior. He will be back. He will be champion again.”
**Content as published by Newsweek**
Don McLean On Tour:
Feb 29 – Sugar Loaf, N.Y.
Mar 28 – Greeley, Colo.
Apr 03 – Honolulu, Hi.
Apr 04 – Honolulu, Hi.
Apr 05 – Honolulu, Hi.
Apr 17 – Kirkland, Wash.
Apr 25 – Gulfport, Miss.
May 01 – Orlando, Fla.
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May 06 – Mississauga, Ontario – Canada
May 08 – Riverhead, N.Y.
May 09 – Glenside, Pa.
May 16 – St. George, Utah
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Aug 22 – Estero, Fla.
2021
Feb 18 – 22, 2021 Rock Legends Cruise / Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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About Don McLean:
A New York native, Don McLean is one of the most revered and respected songwriters in American history. After paying his dues in the New York club scene in the late ‘60s, he went on to score mega-hits like “American Pie,” “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” “Castles in the Air” and many more. In 2004, McLean was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame by country superstar Garth Brooks. In 2000, “American Pie” was named one of the Top 5 Songs of the 20th Century by the RIAA and in 2002 was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame. In 2015, one of McLean’s four handwritten manuscripts of the lyrics to “American Pie” was auctioned by Christies, selling for just over $1.2 Million. 2017 brought a huge honor when his iconic song was inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry, joining less than 500 works including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” With over 40 gold and platinum records worldwide, McLean’s prowess for writing timeless songs was again captured on his 2018 album, Botanical Gardens, as he artfully weaves country, Americana, folk, and boot stomping rock for an eclectic, yet American sound that he is known for.
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Suggested Tweet:
#AmericanPie trends after @tyson_fury sings @DonMcLeanOnline classic following win over Deontay Wilder @BronzeBomber in #LasVegas at @MGMGrand Garden Arena
(Courtesy of PBC ON FOX)