A fighter who pulled off a huge victory on a recent UK card has tested positive for a banned substance.
The UK boxing scene has seen a number of big fights take place in recent months, with one of them having big world title implications.
The BP Pulse Live Arena played host to a Matchroom Boxing event on June 21 where the WBC interim flyweight title was contested between Galal Yafai and Francisco Rodriguez Jr.
Yafai was an unbeaten fighter at 9-0 heading into the bout and had claimed an impressive win over Sunny Edwards in his last outing, but suffered an upset defeat this time around as Rodriguez – a 3/1 underdog – dominated the action on his way to a unanimous decision win, with the judges scoring it 119-108, 119-108 and 118-109.
Yafai was knocked down in the final round of the bout, with many onlookers questioning where he may go now with his career after being handed the first loss of his professional career in quite a brutal fashion.
Controversy has now struck through, after Matchroom revealed that Mexican fighter Rodriguez has subsequently tested positive for a banned substance.
“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 is proven to be guilty, the result will be changed to a no contest, with Yafai likely to become WBC interim flyweight champion once again, putting him back on track for his dreams of becoming world champion.
