In a stunning turn of events that has set social media ablaze, global music superstar Drake has suffered a colossal financial loss after betting on the wrong fighter. The Canadian rapper lost a staggering $200,000 (approximately ₦296 million) when British boxing icon Anthony Joshua defeated YouTube sensation Jake Paul in their highly anticipated heavyweight bout in Miami, USA.
The Fight: Joshua's Dominant Victory Over Paul
The match, which took place in the early hours of Saturday, December 21, 2025, saw former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua demonstrate his class and experience. While Jake Paul managed to exceed expectations by surviving into the middle rounds, Joshua's power proved too much. The British boxer dropped Paul twice in the fifth round, setting the stage for a decisive finish. The contest was officially stopped in the sixth round after Joshua unleashed a series of heavy punches that left Paul unable to continue, securing a knockout victory for the Olympic gold medalist.
Drake's Costly Wager and the Infamous Curse
Ahead of the clash, Drake, known for his high-stakes sports betting, took to his Instagram story to share his bet slip. He placed a whopping $200,000 bet on Jake Paul to win. In a caption accompanying the slip, he wrote, "Jakeyyyyy boy, lock tf in." Had the social media star pulled off the upset, Drake stood to win over $1.6 million (more than ₦2 billion). His loss has reignited discussions online about the so-called "Drake Curse," a popular superstition that teams or athletes he publicly backs often end up losing.
This is not the rapper's first significant betting loss this year. In related news, Drake previously lost ₦451 million after betting on Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner to win the US Open, a bet that also did not materialize in his favour.
Social Media Erupts Over Drake's Loss
Nigerian netizens and global fans quickly took to various platforms to react to the rapper's expensive misjudgment. The reactions ranged from mockery to disbelief at the consistency of his losing bets.
Some of the notable reactions compiled include:
- AstroWurlddd: "I’m convinced he just has a thing for losing money atp."
- Krptonoob: "bro knows how to lose money."
- SkyAlpha.SUI: "He could’ve donated it to a useful cause!"
- PearnivoreMMA: "Let’s not get carried away, it’s called playing the odds. 200k for Drake is like $200 for us."
- 1of1_escobar: "The Drake curse never fails … im betting the house on Anthony Joshua."
The overwhelming sentiment online confirms the potency of the "Drake Curse" in the minds of fans, with many stating they would automatically bet against any athlete or team the rapper supports.
In a lighter side note connected to the victor, it was also reported that Anthony Joshua recently paid an unexpected visit to the family of Nigerian music star Peter Okoye of P-Square. Lola Omotayo, Peter's wife, expressed being star-struck and deeply honoured by the boxer's surprise courtesy call at their home.
