Boxing fans at AT&T Stadium were in for a treat on Friday night before the highly anticipated showdown between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. The excitement in the air reached a new level when Tori Kelly took center stage to deliver her rendition of the national anthem, leaving the crowd buzzing even before the first punch was thrown.
Kelly, known for her incredible vocal range and powerful performances, had fans on their feet as she belted out an awe-inspiring version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
From the very first note, it was clear that Kelly was giving it her all, expertly hitting each note with precision and passion. The entire stadium seemed to pause in admiration, with fans standing in awe as she flawlessly performed the anthem.
Many in the crowd chose to sing along, their voices joining Kelly’s in a moment of collective patriotism. Others simply stood in reverence, cheering and applauding as Kelly’s voice soared through the stadium.
As the match was being held in Dallas, some Dallas Cowboys fans took the opportunity to perform their traditional “stars” chant during the line “whose broad stripes and bright stars,” adding a regional touch to the performance.
When Kelly reached the final notes of the anthem, the crowd erupted in thunderous applause, showing their appreciation for the powerful performance.
The cheers were deafening, echoing throughout AT&T Stadium and setting the stage for what was expected to be an action-packed night. Even those who weren’t lucky enough to be in the stadium were able to share in the excitement through social media, where Kelly’s rendition quickly became a trending topic.
“Wow, that was amazing!” one fan wrote, sharing their admiration for Kelly’s performance. Another fan commented, “Damn, she nailed the national anthem,” while a third said, “Tori Kelly showing how the national anthem should be done.” The praise kept pouring in, with one fan declaring, “Tori Kelly can sing all the national anthems—that was perfection.” Another fan even called for her to be featured at the NFL’s biggest event: “I need Tori Kelly to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl!!!!”
With the anthem concluded and the crowd still buzzing from Kelly’s incredible performance, it was time for the main event. Jake Paul and Mike Tyson made their walkouts to the ring, each man looking ready for the fight ahead.
However, the excitement that Kelly generated with her rendition of the anthem proved to be one of the highlights of the night, as the fight itself failed to live up to expectations.
The atmosphere in AT&T Stadium shifted once the action got underway, and what had been an electric environment turned into one of frustration and disappointment for many fans.
Paul and Tyson lumbered through eight rounds of sluggish boxing, with neither fighter managing to deliver the kind of explosive action that the crowd had hoped for. Boos could be heard throughout the event, with fans clearly unhappy with the lack of excitement in the ring.
Social media was soon flooded with reactions not just to Kelly’s anthem but also to the underwhelming fight that followed. “One guy looked 58 years old. The other guy couldn’t knock out the guy that’s 58 years old,” one fan quipped, summing up the general sentiment.
Another fan shared, “I feel like I just watched 8 rounds of absolutely nothing,” while a third vented, “I just wasted my life on this trash fight.” A fourth fan added, “This is painful to see, Mike is just too old.”
The fight ultimately ended with Jake Paul being declared the winner via unanimous decision, extending his undefeated streak against retired athletes. It marked the seventh loss of Tyson’s storied career, a disappointing outcome for fans who had hoped to see “Iron Mike” turn back the clock for one more memorable moment.
In the end, while the fight left many fans dissatisfied, Tori Kelly’s performance of the national anthem provided a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing evening.
Her powerful vocals and heartfelt rendition left a lasting impression, and for many, her performance was the true highlight of the night.
As the dust settles on a fight that fell short of expectations, Kelly’s anthem will likely be remembered as the moment that truly shined.
