How his wager on Ngannou Backfired

Drake’s daring wager on Francis Ngannou in opposition to Anthony Joshua resulted in a six-figure loss, including to the fabled “Drake curse.”

On Friday (March 8), reviews started circulating of the large Stake wager Drake positioned in favor of Nigerian UFC sensation profitable over the British boxing icon, throughout their anticipated match-up in Saudi Arabia.

In an Instagram put up, Drake shared the main points of his wager, firmly standing on his perception that Ngannou was the extra formidable opponent featured within the bout, within the course of.

“Betting on a scary man,” Drizzy wrote within the caption of the screenshot of the @stake wager he positioned, which might’ve flipped his wager right into a staggering $1,906,500 had Ngannou emerged victorious.

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A put up shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi)

Nevertheless, Drake ended up consuming his phrases, together with a $615,000 loss, after Ngannou was knocked out within the second spherical. The previous UFC heavyweight champion’s demise sequence was fairly the spectacle to observe as effectively, as Ngannou took a tumble to the canvas following an ill-timed jab and an eight-second rely from the referee.

Upon regaining his steadiness, Ngannou was knocked straight off of his toes instantly by a serious right-hand blow Joshua dealt to the pinnacle.

Ngannou, recognized for his formidable knockout energy within the UFC, boasts a formidable report of 17 wins, 12 by knockout, with solely three losses.

Nevertheless, Ngannou’s skilled boxing report will not be practically as spectacular, as he’s presently zero and two—as a result of his earlier loss to heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Whereas Ngannou misplaced to Fury, his loss got here as a choice quite than a knockout.

On the opposite aspect, Anthony Joshua, a former two-time unified world heavyweight champion, carries an virtually surgically correct report, highlighted by 24 wins, 22 of which got here by knockout, and solely three complete losses.

Drake’s confidence in Ngannou may stem from the fighter’s latest departure from the UFC, following a contentious contract dispute, and his expressed want to check his mettle in boxing.

Joshua additionally might have been the underdog, regardless of his report, having confronted a disappointing loss to Oleksandr Usyk of their rematch final August.

This wager provides to the narrative of the so-called “Drake Curse,” a phenomenon the place groups or athletes that the Canadian rapper publicly helps typically fail to win their contests.

Skilled boxer Jake Paul blamed Drizzy for his misplaced to Tommy Fury final yer. Followers of Ngannou and sports activities bettors alike might be watching intently to see if Drake’s backing breaks the curse or provides one other chapter to its folklore.

Take a look at the knockout under.

This angle of Anthony Joshua’s knockout punch 😳🥊

(by way of @DAZNBoxing)
pic.twitter.com/TAN4UH3tTq

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 9, 2024