Return of the ‘Drake Curse’? Rapper bets on Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk

Drake has been involved in a verbal boxing match of his own with Kendrick Lamar in recent months, but the world’s attention will be focused on Fury’s battle with Usyk this evening as the pair face off to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years.

The likes of Lennox Lewis, David Haye and Tony Bellew have all made their predictions known ahead of the showdown and Drake has gone one step further, putting his money where his mouth is by placing an enormous £462,396 ($565,000) bet on Fury to win.

With Stake.com offering odds of 1.77 on Fury triumphing, the Canadian artist will be in line for winnings of £789,608 ($1m) should The Gypsy King, the reigning WBC champion, come out on top in Saudi Arabia.

Drake has built an unwanted reputation for giving sports teams and individuals the kiss of death, with the likes of Serena Williams, Conor McGregor, Charles Leclerc and Paris Saint-Germain all falling victim in recent times.

In 2019, Roma jokingly banned all of their players from posing for photographs with the five-time Grammy winner as rumours of his supposed jinx spread like wildfire across social media.

Earlier this year, Drake gambled $615,000 on Francis Ngannou to beat Anthony Joshua, only for the latter to emerge victorious thanks to a devastating second-round knockout.

Fingers will be no doubt pointed in Drake’s direction once again should Fury come out second best and suffer the first defeat of his professional career in Saudi Arabia’s capital.

‘I’m gonna knock this little f***er spark out. I’m coming for his heart,’ Fury could be heard yelling during the fiery exchange.

‘F*** his belts, I’m coming for his heart. He’s getting it tomorrow.

‘F*** all his team too, they can all get it they want it too.’

‘Don’t be afraid, I will not leave you alone tomorrow,’ Usyk said, delivering a final message to his rival.

Asked how he managed to remain so calm, the Ukrainian added: ‘Because that is my plan.

‘If I am nervous, I will not win.’

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