Drake loses big bet after Tyson Fury’s defeat to Oleksandr Usyk
Canadian musician Drake has once again made headlines, this time for losing a substantial bet on Tyson Fury in the highly anticipated heavyweight bout against Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The match, which determined the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, saw Fury suffer a split-decision points defeat on a dramatic night that secured Usyk’s place in boxing history as the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion.
Drake, known for his penchant for high-stakes sports betting, had placed a significant wager on Fury, continuing his trend of betting on major sporting events.
Ahead of the showdown, Drake took to Instagram to announce his support for Fury, revealing a staggering £462,396 ($565,000) bet on the Gypsy King. With the potential to win an impressive £789,608 ($1 million), Drake’s bet underscored his confidence in Fury’s victory.
Despite his track record of losses in combat sports betting, including a previous substantial bet on the Anthony Joshua vs. Ngannou fight which he also lost, Drake remained undeterred and placed another high-stakes wager on Fury. Unfortunately for Drake, the outcome was not in his favor.
The fight began well for Fury, but he faced significant challenges as it progressed. A turning point came in the ninth round when Fury was given a standing 10 count and narrowly saved by the bell after a powerful onslaught from Usyk. The tension in the arena was palpable as the fight went to the judges’ scorecards.
In a dramatic wait for the decision, Fury appeared confident of victory. However, the final scorecards revealed a split decision: two judges scored the fight in favor of Usyk with scores of 115-112 and 114-113, while the third judge scored it 114-113 for Fury. This handed Fury his first professional defeat in his 16-year career.
Usyk, 37, who remains unbeaten, was visibly emotional when announced as the winner, breaking down in tears. He took the WBC belt from Fury, adding it to his existing WBA, WBO, and IBF titles, solidifying his place as the undisputed heavyweight champion for the first time in nearly 25 years.
Fury, defiant in defeat, expressed his belief that he had won the majority of the rounds and called the decision “one of the daftest decisions in boxing.” He vowed to return stronger, noting the planned rematch for later this year as an immediate opportunity for redemption.
Usyk, gracious in victory, thanked his team and highlighted the significance of the win for himself, his family, and his country, Ukraine. He also confirmed his readiness for a rematch, setting the stage for another highly anticipated clash between the two heavyweights.
Drake’s loss in this high-profile bet adds to his series of setbacks in sports betting, but it is unlikely to deter the musician from continuing his trend of placing bets on major sporting events.
