The infamous “Drake Curse” has claimed another victim, with Canadian superstar Drake reportedly shelling out $200,000 after wagering on YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul to upset former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in their high-profile clash on December 19, 2025. The fight, streamed live on Netflix from Miami’s Kaseya Center, ended in a sixth-round knockout victory for Joshua, leaving Drake on the losing end once more and sparking a fresh wave of memes and mockery across social media.

Drake, known for his high-stakes gambling habits, publicly shared his bet slip on Instagram Stories hours before the bout, captioning it “Jakeyyyyy boy. Lock tf in.” The wager on Paul, a massive underdog at +800 odds, would have netted the rapper a staggering $1.64 million payout had the upset materialized. Instead, Joshua dominated the contest, flooring Paul multiple times before delivering the decisive blow that marked Paul’s first professional knockout loss and his second defeat overall.

The outcome has reignited the long-running “Drake Curse” narrative—a tongue-in-cheek superstition among fans that any athlete, team, or fighter publicly backed by Drake is doomed to fail. This latest setback adds to a lengthy list of costly misses for the Toronto native, who has become as famous for his betting blunders as his chart-topping hits. Just last year, Drake dropped $355,000 betting on Mike Tyson to beat Paul in their controversial November 2024 exhibition, only for Paul to emerge victorious. He also lost big on Paul’s split-decision defeat to Tommy Fury in 2023 and a slew of other high-profile picks, including UFC fighters and major sports teams.

Fans wasted no time piling on after Joshua’s win, with social media buzzing about the curse’s reliability. One viral post quipped, “At this point, betting opposite Drake might be the safest strategy in sports betting history.” Others joked that Paul’s camp should have seen the red flag when Drake’s support went public, noting how the rapper’s endorsements often precede dramatic collapses. Even Joshua himself has acknowledged the phenomenon in past interviews, once joking about the “real” curse before fights.

The fight itself lived up to its billing as a spectacle, drawing massive viewership on Netflix and blending celebrity crossover appeal with legitimate heavyweight action. Paul, 28, entered with a 12-1 record and a reputation for turning influencers into boxers, but faced his toughest test against the 36-year-old Joshua—a two-time unified champion with Olympic gold and 25 knockouts in 32 pro wins. Despite Paul’s bravado and promises of an upset, Joshua’s experience and power proved overwhelming, ending the contest emphatically in round six.

Post-fight reactions highlighted respect for Paul’s willingness to take on elite competition. Joshua praised his opponent’s resilience, saying Paul “got up time and time again” and showed heart in a difficult spot. Paul, recovering from what he described as a potentially broken jaw, vowed to return stronger, earning props from critics who had dismissed his boxing pursuits as gimmicks. The bout avoided the controversy of Paul’s previous outing against Tyson, focusing instead on the generational clash between traditional boxing royalty and new-age entertainment.

Drake’s gambling exploits have long fascinated the public, blending his love for risk with the thrill of massive potential rewards. Partnered with betting platform Stake, he frequently shares slips for fights, games, and tournaments, turning personal wagers into viral moments. While he’s notched occasional wins, the losses—often in the hundreds of thousands—have cemented the curse as a pop culture staple. Analysts note that Drake’s public picks tend to favor underdogs or sentimental choices, amplifying the drama when they fall short.

This incident underscores broader trends in combat sports, where celebrity involvement drives unprecedented interest and revenue. Paul’s promotion machine, combined with Joshua’s pedigree, made the event a crossover hit, even if the result was predictable to purists. For Drake, it’s another chapter in a betting saga that shows no signs of slowing—he’s already shrugged off past hits and continues placing bold stakes.

As memes flood timelines joking about fading Drake’s picks for easy money, the rapper remains unfazed, thriving on the attention his wagers generate. Fans speculate on his next move, with some suggesting he steer clear of boxing altogether. One thing’s certain: The Drake Curse isn’t going anywhere, and sports bettors worldwide are taking notes—if Drake bets one way, the smart money might go the other.

In the end, Joshua reclaimed spotlight in the division, Paul gained credibility for stepping up, and Drake provided the perfect punchline. Moral of the story? If Drake places a bet… think twice and consider doing the opposite.