As the boxing world gears up for the highly anticipated Netflix showdown between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul this Friday, an unexpected player has thrown a significant – and potentially cursed – wager into the mix. The Canadian rapper Drake has publicly backed the underdog, Jake Paul, with a substantial bet, risking his notorious reputation for backing losing sides.
The High-Stakes Wager
Drake took to social media to reveal his $200,000 (approximately £149,500) stake on a Jake Paul victory. Framing the potential win as the "biggest upset in sports history," the Toronto artist posted "Jakeyyyyy boy. Lock in" alongside a screenshot of the bet. This move represents sizeable, if superstitiously fraught, backing for the 28-year-old YouTube star turned boxer as he prepares to face the former heavyweight champion in Miami.
The Shadow of the 'Drake Curse'
This bold bet immediately raises the spectre of the so-called 'Drake Curse', a phenomenon where athletes and teams publicly supported by the rapper have subsequently suffered high-profile losses. The curse has previously struck boxing giants including Tyson Fury, Israel Adesanya, and Mike Tyson. For Paul, this is not the first time he has been involved with a costly Drake gamble. In November last year, Drake lost $355,000 (around £281,440) after betting on legend Mike Tyson to defeat Paul. The rapper was also on the wrong side of a $1.2 million wager when Paul lost to Tommy Fury in 2023.
Paul's Confident Stance Ahead of the Fight
Despite the ominous betting history, Jake Paul is projecting unwavering confidence. Speaking ahead of the heavyweight clash in Miami, where he began his boxing journey, Paul made his intentions brutally clear. "One of us is going to sleep – that's what we're going to do here. That's what this heavyweight fight is all about," he stated. He doubled down on the upset narrative, declaring, "I'm going to shock the world and pull off the biggest upset in sports history."
Whether Paul can defy both the odds and the infamous Drake Curse remains to be seen. The fight promises high drama, with the rapper's six-figure bet adding an extra layer of intrigue and superstition to an already colossal sporting event.
