Drake bets $200,000 on Jake Paul to beat Anthony Joshua, risking 'curse' in Netflix mega-fight

Jake Paul could be considered the underdog in his high-profile boxing match against Anthony Joshua, but he may have an unlikely ally in the stands: Drake. The Toronto rapper placed a $200,000 bet on Paul to win Friday's bout, a surge of backing that has raised the stakes of what has been billed as a Netflix mega-fight. Paul's opponent, the former Olympic and world heavyweight champion Joshua, is favored by many observers, but the wager on the YouTube personality-turned-boxer has drawn attention for its potential to kick off a notorious running joke known as the Drake Curse.

The bet, reported by outlets covering the prospect of the event, shows Drake staking a sizeable sum on Paul’s upset bid—roughly £149,500 at current exchange rates. Drake's post accompanying the wager included a playful taunt: 'Jakeyyyyy boy. Lock in.' If Paul were to win, Drake would be credited with fueling one of the most talked-about upsets in recent boxing history. If Joshua prevails, the wager would be a notable miss for the prolific entertainer and his betting track record, which has not always favored big-name bets in combat sports.

Paul, for his part, has embraced the moment as he heads into the spotlight in Miami. Speaking ahead of the fight, he leaned into the challenge and the atmosphere in the room. '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. I started my boxing journey here in Miami. We're bringing it back and I'm going to shock the world and pull off the biggest upset in sports history.'

Those comments come as the Netflix-era spectacle has drawn attention beyond boxing fans, with promoters and bettors watching closely how the matchup plays on social media and in attendance in Miami. Drake's wagering history in boxing has included losses, notably a $355,000 miss on Tyson Fury beating Paul, and a $1.2 million bet on Paul to defeat Tommy Fury in 2023, losses that have fed into the broader conversation about the so-called Drake Curse. As the fight nears, the industry remains focused on how celebrity bets influence interest, betting markets, and the potential outcomes in the ring.