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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Rich Jones

Why Anthony Joshua needs to overcome 'Drake curse' to beat Jarrell Miller

Anthony Joshua is looking to extend his winning record when he heads stateside to face Jarrell 'Big Baby' Miller on June 1.

But he'll have to not only overcome his heavyweight rival but also the 'Drake Curse' if he's to retain his world heavyweight titles.

Joshua has been hanging out with superstar rapper Drake this week, with the pair each sharing pictures together on social media.

Drizzy has reportedly been training with Joshua's strength and conditioning coach in London as he's in the middle of his European Assassination Vacation Tour.

But he has a questionable track record of supporting sports stars and teams - leading to many fans to be convinced he brings a curse.

Joshua even alluded to it himself in his Instagram post as he declared he's "bout to break the curse".

Anthony Joshua is confident he can overcome the "Drake Curse" (Getty Images)

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Toronto-born Drake is a lifelong fan of the Toronto Raptors NBA side and became a Global Ambassador in 2013, but they have still failed to make a single finals appearance.

He also started backing college side Kentucky Basketball, giving them engraved rings for their 2012 national title success but they have not won another one since.

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He struck up a close friendship with former Heisman Trophy winner and star college quarterback Johnny Manziel before his NFL career flopped.

When he appeared as Conor McGregor's hype man in the run-up to UFC 299, the Irishman was submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The rapper has gone to some extreme lengths to break the curse, wearing a sweatshirt with the logos of each of four remaining NFL play-off teams on Championship weekend.

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It inevitably meant he was on two winning sides - but both games had to be decided in overtime perhaps proving the curse is hard to break.

Joshua insists he is the man to end the miserable run after enjoying Drake's company, and he'll be firm favourite to be proven right when he heads to Madison Square Garden later this year.

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