Canadian International rapper, Drake, has lost a massive $615,000 bet after Anthony Joshua knocked out Francis Ngannou in their much-hyped heavyweight showdown in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Lifestyle Nigeria reports that Joshua secured a brutal knockout, against Ngannou in the second round of the ‘Knockout Chaos’ clash on Friday night.

The superstar recording artiste, known for placing massive bets on sporting events, posted earlier on Instagram that he was betting $615,000 on Ngannou to beat Joshua outright.

“Betting on a scary man,” Drake said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Drake joined several fans of combat sports to believe that Ngannou could get the job done against Joshua, and if the bet had clicked, it would have paid out $1.9million .

Although Drake has recorded some big wins and losses in betting, he has gained notoriety with the “the Drake Curse”, assertion by fans accusing him of ‘cursing’ athletes and teams after being pictured with them.

The ‘curse’ has affected numerous victims such as quarterback Johny Manziel,UFC fighter Kamaru Usman, Tennis star Serena Williams, and even the entire Kentucky Wildcats Basketball team in the United States.

In January, the rapper lost over half-a-million pounds when he incorrectly backed Sean Strickland to defend his UFC middleweight championship against Dricus Du Plessis.

One of Drake’s biggest bets in 2023 was on YouTube boxer, Logan Paul to knocout Conor McGregor’s training partner Dillon Danis in their Misfits Boxing fight.

The rapper won $1.3million after Danis was disqualified in the final round for trying to choke Paul unconscious, prompting a massive brawl to break out in the ring.

Earlier before that fight, Drake missed out on a $920,000 payout after Nigerian born Israel Adesanya lost his UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland.

Drake was routing for Adesanya to knockout Strickland in their world title clash, but Strickland produced a massive upset to win on points.

NAN

Nigerian-Briton Anthony Joshua defeated Cameroonian-French Francis Ngannou at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Friday night.

Gatekeepers News reports that Joshua sent the most powerful statement to the heavyweight division after delivering a destructive second-round knockout win over Ngannou in the match.

34-year-old Joshua floored the UFC champion in the first round and early in the second.

Although dazed Ngannou rose to his feet in Riyadh, he was stunned by an explosive and formidable right moments later as the referee halted the contest.

He appeared to be out before he even hit the canvas and required medical treatment.

“I’m going back to my cage and when they let me out, I’ll fight again,” Joshua said, as WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury watched on from ringside.

Fury made tough work of Ngannou in October when he was dropped by the debutant before edging a points win.

Joshua said, “When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury I thought ‘I want some of that’. [Ngannou] is a great champion and this doesn’t take anything away from his capabilities.

“I told him not to leave boxing. He’s two fights in and he’s fought the best.”

Victory is two-time world champion Joshua’s fourth in 11 months, and keeps alive his ambition of recapturing a world title.

British sports promoter, Eddie Hearn, who has promoted Joshua throughout the heavyweight’s pro career, called to face the winner of Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

The pair will fight to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion in May, with a rematch later in the year.

Joshua has now won four fights in a row following his back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.

Portuguese manager and Nigeria’s Super Eagles Coach, Jose Peseiro, has confirmed his exit as manager of the team after his contract officially expired on Thursday.

Lifestyle Nigeria reports that Peseiro disclosed this on his official X page.

Peseiro led the Eagles to a second-place finish at the 2023 African Cup of Nations, on Friday.

He said he was fulfilled coaching the West African nation.

“Yesterday, we concluded our contract with the NFF. It was a pride and honor to coach the Super Eagles. It has been 22 months of immense dedication, sacrifice, emotion, and enormous enthusiasm. We feel a sense of fulfillment.

“We would like to express our gratitude to Sir Amaju Pinnick (the president who signed us), President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, Secretary Dayo Enebi, the NFF, all the Staff, and especially all the PLAYERS, with whom leading has been a great pleasure.

“Guys, we are thankful; it has been a privilege to be part of this family. We will miss you, but we will always be there for you, no matter where you are. A big hug to all of you,” the former Porto manager wrote on X