By day Star Swain is an assistant principal at the Jefferson County Middle/High School in Monticello, Florida and a Ph.D. candidate in education policy and evaluation. But come Saturday, July 23, live on pay-per-view, Swain will live up to her first name when she steps into the center of the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. to sing The Star Spangled Banner before undefeated junior welterweight world champions Terence “Bud” Crawford and “The Iceman” Viktor Postol collide in the season’s most anticipated fight.
As reported by ABC News, “Swain turned into an overnight viral sensation after her impromptu performance of the National Anthem had people stopping in their tracks at the Lincoln Memorial while she was visiting Washington, D.C. with family on June 16.” Since ABC News posted this story, the video of Swain’s incredible rendition has grown to more than 37.5 million views on Facebook.
“I am so excited to sing The Star Spangled Banner in front of the world championship fans gathered at the MGM Grand Garden Arena,” said Swain. “This is a unique opportunity that most people do not get. I thank Top Rank for providing this platform for me to connect with fellow Americans as I sing the national anthem with pride.”
“Top Rank has always enjoyed enlisting the best talent available — professional or not — to sing the National Anthem at our major events. We’ve had superstars like Jamie Foxx and Ashanti and winners and contenders from American Idol. And now Star will join that illustrious group. We are very honored she accepted our invitation. Star captures the spirit of our event,” said Brad Jacobs, Top Rank’s Executive Event Producer.
Crawford vs. Postol, a 12-round world title unification rumble battle between Top-10 pound for pound gladiators, will determine the lineal king of the exciting 140 pound division. Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Tecate and the motion picture “Hands of Stone,” the Crawford vs. Postol world championship event will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.
