Francisco Rodriguez Jr. tested positive for a banned substance after his recent fight with Galal Yafai. The Mexican boxer upset the odds to win the WBC interim flyweight title on June 21, 2025, at the BP Pulse Live Arena in the UK.
Yafai entered the ring as the favorite with a perfect 9-0 record, fresh off a win against Sunny Edwards. Rodriguez Jr., on the other hand, came in as the underdog with 3/1 odds against him.
The fight ended with Rodriguez Jr. winning by unanimous decision. The judges' scorecards read 119-108, 119-108, and 118-109 in his favor. Yafai suffered a knockdown in the final round, adding to what turned out to be a tough night for the British boxer.
The fight was part of a series of big events in UK boxing, with world title implications. For Yafai, it marked his first professional loss, which some described as 'brutal'.
However, the story didn't end there. Matchroom, the promoter of the event, released a statement on social media about the post-fight developments:
"Today, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association informed Matchroom, the World Boxing Council and the British Boxing Board of Control that Francisco Rodriguez has returned an adverse analytical finding as part of a post-fight night anti-doping test following his bout with Galal Yafai on June 21st 2025. The matter will be handled by the BBBofC and the WBC."
If Rodriguez Jr. is found guilty, the fight result will likely change to a no contest. This means Yafai could regain his status as the WBC interim flyweight champion.
The British Boxing Board of Control and the World Boxing Council will now handle the case. They'll decide on any potential penalties for Rodriguez Jr. and the official outcome of the bout.
This situation serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in maintaining a clean sport in professional boxing. It also shows how quickly fortunes can change, with Yafai potentially reclaiming his title without stepping back into the ring.
