UK Boxing

Anthony Joshua costs Drake £1.2m after knocking out Jake Paul

Published

7 months ago

December 20, 2025

Rap megastar Drake saw £150,000 ($200,000) go up in smoke after he backed Jake Paul, who pulled off a surprise upset against Anthony Joshua in their clash. The Canadian artist had a whopping £1.2 million ($1.64 million) at his disposal if Paul defeated AJ, who was ultimately victorious in the sixth round.

On Friday night in Miami, Paul suffered the second defeat of his fighting career against a British heavyweight. The actor-turned-rapper took to Instagram to show off his massive bet, flaunting the considerable sum he had wagered with the caption, “Jakeyyyyy, boy. Lock yourself in,” written below. Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, has a terrible sports betting history and is equally bad at dominating any team or player.

The 39-year-old’s dismal streak has even spawned a bizarre phenomenon dubbed the “Drake Curse.” This alleged curse usually involves the “One Dance” killer posing for photos with athletes or wearing team jerseys before key games, and then those individuals or teams fail.

Paul Pogba became the first victim in March 2019 after posing for a photo with the superstar, and just four days later Manchester United were eliminated from the FA Cup to Wolves. The following month, former Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha was photographed with Drake, and a few days later the Eagles lost to Manchester City 3-1.

Former UFC champion Conor McGregor also fell victim to the curse after losing his fight to Khabib Nurmagomedov following a photo shoot with Drake.

Shortly after meeting the rapper, Sergio Aguero also missed a penalty for Manchester City in the Champions League. In 2019, Joshua himself experienced a curse when he was shown a photo with Drake just days before his fight with Jarrell Miller was canceled.

The situation deteriorated further when Andy Ruiz Jr stepped in on low notice and scored a shock knockout victory over Joshua. Before the fight, Joshua even joked that he banned Drake from backstage due to superstition.

Speaking to ESPN about whether he would welcome Drake into his dressing room, Joshua said: “I know I shouldn’t. Do you know about the Drake curse? But it’s true.

“That’s what I’m saying, but what’s weird is that I took the photo with Drake. We took it before (Jarrell) Miller got banned. Then Miller took a drug test and was kicked out. The fight was canceled.”

Drake recently candidly revealed the true extent of his gambling losses. Via a screenshot on Instagram, the star revealed the staggering amount of money he has lost to gambling this year, revealing he lost £5 million ($8 million) in just one month.

Drake said, “I have to share the other side of gambling… The losses are so fried right now… I hope I can post a massive one for you soon because I’m the only one who has never seen Max, Max these guys, Max once a week.”

Earlier this year, he also revealed details of a bet he placed on an NBA game. The rapper placed £596,400 ($800,000) on two separate bets.

Still, his losing streak continues. In April this year, Drake suffered a loss of £750,000 ($1 million), which he jokingly blamed on pop icon Justin Bieber.

The music mogul supported the Toronto Maple Leafs in their victory over the Florida Panthers in the NHL in May. They were ultimately defeated 6-1, with Drake joking that Justin’s presence in the stadium put a “curse” on him.

UK Boxing

Re: Official Negotiating Order – Mandatory WBO Welterweight Championship – DevinHaney (champion) vs. Keyshawn Davis (#1 challenger)

Published

4 days ago

July 2, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Re: Official Negotiating Order – Mandatory WBO Welterweight Championship – DevinHaney (champion) vs. Keyshawn Davis (fighter #1) – WBO

June 30, 2026

Re: Official Negotiation Order – Mandatory WBO Welterweight Championship Contest – Devin
Haney (champion) vs. Keyshawn Davis (#1 challenger)

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UPCOMING FIGHTS

JR. WEIGHT Championship

Bermudas
VS
Osorio

Osorio Won R

JR. AVERAGE WEIGHT Championship

Zayas
VS
Ennis

Ennis won R7

WEIGHT Championship

with Olascua
VS
Dominguez

R won

JR. BANTAM WEIGHT Championship

BANTAM WEIGHT Championship

Johnson
VS
Thorslund

R won

JR. INTERMEDIATE WEIGHT Championship

AVERAGE WEIGHT Championship

Robinson
VS
Thibeault

R won

JR. AVERAGE WEIGHT Championship

The official record holder

UK Boxing

Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – Odds and Betting Guide

Published

2 weeks ago

June 23, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing

Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.

Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.

The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.

“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.

The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.

Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing

Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.

Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.

Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing

Full Bet365 odds

The result of the fight

Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1

Round bets

Xander Zayas

Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1

Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position

Jaron Ennis

To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4

The post Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – Odds and Betting Guide appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

UK Boxing

Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro – large fight preview and predictions

Published

2 weeks ago

June 23, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.

Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.

Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.

Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.

Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.

In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.

The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.

Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom

McKean meets Taliva

Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.

McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.

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Post shared by Demsey McKean (@demsey.mckean)

The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.

Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.

Undercard remaining

At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.

Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.

Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.

Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).

The post Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.