Canadian rapper Drake has reportedly lost about ₦296 million after placing a bet on YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul to defeat former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in their much-publicised boxing bout in Miami, United States.
Anthony Joshua Dominates the Fight
The heavyweight contest took place in the early hours of Saturday, December 21, with Joshua delivering a commanding performance. Drawing on his experience at the highest level of the sport, the British boxer controlled the fight and ultimately secured victory via a sixth-round knockout.
Joshua dropped Paul twice in the fifth round before unleashing a decisive combination in the sixth, leaving his opponent unable to continue.
Drake’s High-Stakes Bet
Ahead of the fight, Drake publicly revealed via his Instagram story that he had staked $200,000 (approximately ₦296 million) on Jake Paul to win. The post included a supportive caption urging Paul to stay focused ahead of the bout.
According to reports, a victory for Paul would have earned the rapper a payout of over $1.6 million, estimated at more than ₦2 billion. However, Joshua’s emphatic win meant the wager was unsuccessful.
Fight Draws Global Attention
The bout attracted widespread attention due to the unusual pairing of an established former world champion and a social media personality-turned-professional boxer, as well as Drake’s highly publicised betting history on major sporting events.
The result further reinforces Joshua’s status as a dominant figure in heavyweight boxing, while Paul’s ambitions in the division face renewed scrutiny following the defeat.
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