Drake really just ruined Anthony Joshuas career #JoshuaRuiz pic.twitter.com/oW7YeJdti7 - (@K49HAS) June 2, 2019
Back in March, Joshua posted a photo with Drake to Instagram, accompanied by the caption: "Bout to break the curse. #June1st." He's referring to the growing superstition that Drake is a "bad luck charm," following a series of losses by high level athletes which just so happened to coincide with them spending time with the Canadian artist.
View this post on Instagram Bout to break the curse #June1st A post shared by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on Mar 21, 2019 at 2:56pm PDT
The most infamous episode in the saga of the "Drake curse" was Connor McGregor's defeat by Khabib Nurmagomedov, a knock that the Irish MMA fighter has struggled to come back from. McGregor was photographed with Drake at the weigh-in prior to the match.
UFC 229 Khabib v McGregor: Weigh-Ins
Then there are the football clubs that suffered a series of devastating losses in the aftermath of hanging with the rapper: Arsenal, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have all succumbed to the Drake curse.
After posting for a picture with @Drake : Anthony Joshua lost to Ruiz Conor McGregor lost to Khabib Sergio Aguero missed a penalty in the Champions League vs Spurs Serena Williams lost in US Open Kentucky Wildcats no final The @Drake curse strikes again. pic.twitter.com/ZFi2Tvm5fW - SPORF (@Sporf) June 2, 2019
Some tennis fans even attributed Serena Williams' loss at the US Open in 2015 to the Drake curse, although Williams herself has dismissed it. In an interview with Glamour , the Grand Slam superstar said: "I dont think that was fair. Im the one whos playing, whos making mistakes or making winners. Im not one to blame anyone else for anything. And I dont think anyone else should either. I played a really good opponent that day. And I wasnt at my best."
Here's hoping Anthony Joshua is feeling as gracious after last night.