British boxer Anthony Joshua was last night knocked out by Andy Ruiz Jr. in a stunning heavyweight upset, and many are blaming Drake for it.
Fighting at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Joshua lost his WBA, WBO and IBF world title belts to Ruiz Jr in dramatic fashion, as he was dropped four times on the way to being stopped on his feet.
On a night that saw Joshua lose for the first time as a professional, and just the second time he has ever been knocked out in his entire boxing career, professional or amateur, many believe his defeat was due to the ‘Drake curse’.
The Toronto rapper has earned a reputation for being somewhat of a bad luck charm for a number of top-level sports teams and athletes in recent years, as people have noticed that whenever he associates with sportspeople or endorses certain teams they almost always end up suffering some sort of on-field misfortune soon afterwards.
Whether it’s football teams such as Arsenal, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain being on the receiving end of a series of defeats for their respective teams shortly after being pictured with Drake, or UFC fighter Conor McGregor losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov after walking into the ring with the rapper in tow, the Drake curse has become quite the phenomenon.
Back in March, Joshua posted a picture with Drake, accompanied by the caption, “Bout to break the curse #June1st.” Because of this fans are now blaming the Canadian rapper and the so-called curse for the boxer’s loss.
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One fan wrote: “Drake really just ruined Anthony Joshua’s career.”
“AJ lost his first match to Ruiz Jr 3 weeks after posting up with Drake. This man Drake needs to get locked up. It’s a crime against sports at this point,” another joked.
A third wrote: “The #DrakeCurse has seriously reached Final Destination levels of inevitability. It may not get you today, tomorrow, or your immediate fight… But it will get you in the end!”
https://twitter.com/K49HAS/status/1135024223569743872
AJ lost his first match to Ruiz Jr 3 weeks after posting up with Drake. This man Drake needs to get locked up. It's a crime against sports at this point. pic.twitter.com/XwRnhYmmWr
— Tyson Creme ?? (@TysonCreme) June 2, 2019
The #DrakeCurse has seriously reached Final Destination levels of inevitability. It may not get you today, tomorrow, or your immediate fight… But it will get you in the end! #JoshuaRuiz pic.twitter.com/rc0CA3P2H4
— Kel Dansby | ESPN Boxing (@KelDansby) June 2, 2019
“None of my fighters can go near @Drake. Writing it into my bout agreements,” tweeted American boxing promoter Lou DiBella.
None of my fighters can go near @Drake. Writing it into my bout agreements. #boxing https://t.co/cppx0UvBjO
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) June 2, 2019
Take a look at more tweets about the curse below:
Nobody:
Absolutely nobody:
Anthony Joshua: Bout to break the drake curse.
Drake curse: Do I look like a joke to you!
??? pic.twitter.com/Yx1P4K4GK5
— Optimistic Pessimist (@Canary_33) June 2, 2019
I ain’t ever taking a pic with Drake
— KSI (@KSIOlajidebt) June 2, 2019
YOOOOO @Drake YOU ARE A CURSE ? ? pic.twitter.com/yuEhaQywqV
— muath (@muath94_) June 2, 2019
Y’all remember when Anthony Joshua said he was going to break the Drake curse? LMFAOOOOO pic.twitter.com/LQOYZSCU2t
— TM (@T0MIWAsWORLD) June 2, 2019
“Now do you believe the Drake Curse is real?”
Anthony Joshua: pic.twitter.com/dEJSvWcuTC
— McBaŋɠ (@TheMcBang) June 2, 2019
The Drake Curse claims another victim. ? pic.twitter.com/BlnpeTWqTw
— theScore (@theScore) June 2, 2019
Anthony Joshua got too bold with the Drake curse ?? pic.twitter.com/e1oG3qdQbu
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilbertAgent0) June 2, 2019
It’s happened again… Sorry AJ. The Drake curse is just too strong. pic.twitter.com/B3F8T0eG4m
— Bhavs (@bhavss14) June 2, 2019
This is MAD awkward… The Drake curse lives on. Even Anthony Joshua couldn't beat it. pic.twitter.com/p55qpsUzE2
— A Tall Legend! (@ATalllLegend) June 2, 2019
Drake laughing in the comments to Joshua’s caption because he knew the curse can’t be broken pic.twitter.com/fJAG8kenLO
— fifi (@fifismusings) June 2, 2019
Anthony Joshua: imma break the drake curse it’s a myth
*loses fight after getting knocked down 4 times
Drake curse: pic.twitter.com/A3hxQytbRs
— わざ ごんどぇ (@16Chaz) June 2, 2019
The rapper has drawn criticism for his antics in the Eastern Conference finals, which has included heckling, giving players pep talks, and him leaving his seat to give Raptors coach Nick Nurse a shoulder massage during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks.