PROMOTER Eddie Hearn has revealed that Francisco Rodriguez Jr failed a previous drug test ahead of his fight with Galal Yafai.
Last month, Yafai lost both his WBC Interim flyweight title and his unbeaten record to the Mexican challenger. Rodriguez also dropped Yafai in the final round to seal a dominant points victory.
However, 18 days after their June 21 contest in Birmingham, Matchroom Boxing posted the following statement on X:
“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 WBC released their ruling on the matter two days ago, reporting that Rodriguez’s ingestion of the banned substance – heptaminol, a cardiac stimulant – was deemed:
“…accidental, unintentional, unknowing, and not directed to enhance his performance.”
The WBC placed Rodriguez on a 12-month probation, reinstated Yafai as WBC Interim flyweight champion, and declared the June 21 bout a no-contest. The governing body also ordered a rematch.
Promoter Eddie Hearn, speaking to Boxing News today in Belfast after the launch press conference for the Lewis Crocker-Paddy Donovan rematch, reacted strongly to the WBC’s handling of the situation.
“To make it even worse, I found out last night that he [Rodriguez] also failed a drugs test in his last fight.”
Hearn was referring to Rodriguez’s December 2024 bout in San Antonio, Texas – an eight-round contest against Josue Jesus Morales. Initially scored a unanimous decision win for Rodriguez, the result was overturned to a No Contest by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation on June 1.
“I spoke to the Texas Commission,” Hearn continued. “They confirmed he failed a drugs test for that fight. I spoke to [WBC President] Mauricio Sulaiman last night. He said he didn’t know anything about it. I believe him.
“But let’s look at this. He’s failed back-to-back drug tests on the night, and he’s gone 12 rounds with Galal in a fight that physically damaged Galal. To rule in two weeks that it was accidental and say, ‘He can just come back and have a rematch’ – it’s so bizarre.”
While Hearn acknowledged that fighters deserve due process, he questioned how such a rapid ruling could be made.
“I believe fighters should get the opportunity to explain themselves. But I don’t believe that can happen without a B-sample in a two-week time period. To say, ‘Yeah, no problem, let’s just run it back’ – it doesn’t sit right.”
“Now, with the Texas Commission result coming out, this could change everything. I believe Galal Yafai should now be installed as the mandatory challenger.”
Attention now turns to WBC and WBA world flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji, who defends his titles this Wednesday against Ricardo Sandoval in Yokohama, Japan.
