Jamie Foxx defended the way he sang the national anthem of the United States during the Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao fight. While making a guest appearance at "The Ellen DeGeneres show," the actor said that his earpiece fell off.

"I sung the national anthem," the 47-year old said. "Now some people were a little upset about how it went down."

"But here's the thing first of all, anytime a black person sings the national anthem you know we gotta. 'Oh sayyyyyyy can youuououou.'" he continued. "I mean that's just ya know."

"But what did happen in the ring my ears came out. My inner ears," he added. "Listen Jamie Foxx ears came out. No, my inner ears came out and I'm singing with an organ so I can't hear what the organ is doing with the big crowd."

Foxx' singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" in the Las Vegas bout last Saturday, May 2 drew sharp criticism from people. Fans took to social media to express their reaction to his rendition of the national anthem.

The actor was introduced as a  "multi-talented entertainment superstar" to the fans who were in attendance in what was being billed as "The Fight Of the Century."

But audiences were not impressed with Foxx' performance.

"@PaigeVanzantUFC no, that fight was boring. The real fight was between Jamie fox vs the national anthem,"' said Arnie Stimpleton (@DJKNoxs) on Twitter.

Another tweet joked that the actor's singing made the song virtually unrecognizable.  "What's Jamie Fox singing? It sounds familiar but I can't place it," tweeted Natalie Maines  (@1NatalieMaines) 

Even professional journalists joined the criticism. NBC reporter Luke Russert joked, "Jamie Foxx making me feel good about my shower singing."

But the star remained good-natured about the flak he drew from his performance. "So some of it was a little off, but in the arena it killed," he said. "The telecast was a little off. But ya know we still love America!"