CNN
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“Hands, touching hands” before fights is something Tyson Fury is used to.
But he’ll “reach out, touch me, touch you” as he trades the boxing ring for the recording studio, all in the name of charity.
The two-time world heavyweight champion will release a cover of Neil Diamond’s classic “Sweet Caroline” to benefit men’s mental health charity Talk Club in November.
Fury is no stranger to playing with the microphone. He sang songs such as “American Pie”, “Walking in Memphis” and “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing” before or after fights. He also appeared on Robbie Williams’ 2019 Christmas album, performing a duet on the track “Bad Sharon”.
Fury said he always felt a connection to “Sweet Caroline”. The song has become a favorite with English fans at sporting events in recent years. It has been played and sung in various sports, from football and darts to cricket and the NFL.
100% of the proceeds from Fury’s first solo single will be donated to Talk Club. The charity is a “men’s chat and listener’s club, offering chat groups, sports groups and therapy to help you stay mentally fit”.
Fury has been open about his mental health struggles in the past and has used his status as one of the most successful fighters of recent years to champion the mental health cause.
“Boxing has been a massive platform for me to spread the word about mental health and I’ve done it to the best of my ability,” the 34-year-old said in a press release announcing the single.
“I’ve spoken a lot about my mental health issue, especially since coming back. It’s been widely publicized about my ups and downs, my ups and downs, so I’ve tried my best to keep talking about it as much as possible and keep trying to break the stigma.
Talk Club co-founders Ben Akers and Gavin Thorpe said: “Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK. Tyson Fury is a champion, in and out of the ring for many of these men.
“Men see themselves in Tyson, so when he talks (or sings) they listen. So, partnering with Tyson on something that raises awareness at the Talk Club, and gets men talking and improves their mental fitness, will save lives.
The song is set to be released on November 11, ahead of the start of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which runs from November 20 to December 18. “What better time to take it out than around the World Cup!” said Fury.
He added: “If it helps England through the World Cup, well, that’s an added bonus.”
The song will be released by Warner Music UK’s EastWest Records.
Fury is set to fight Derek Chisora, with Fury’s WBC world heavyweight championship on the line, in their trilogy fight at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 3.
