FOLLOWING an intense investigation, the WBC have dished out a series of punishments on Francisco Rodriguez Jr, who returned an ‘adverse finding’ after his stirring points win over Galal Yafai in June.
However, it could’ve been much worse for the Mexican mauler who upset Yafai on home turf, winning a wide unanimous decision in Birmingham, taking Yafai’s WBC Interim in the process.
That title, as well as the blemish on Yafai’s record, are all set to be returned and annulled despite an announcement from the sanctioning body who have deemed that Rodriguez’s “…ingestion of a banned substance(s) was accidental, unintentional, unknowing, and not directed to enhance his performance.”
Furthermore, Rodriguez has been placed on probation for 12 months, rather than being banned outright from WBC competition. Yafai has been reinstated as WBC Interim flyweight champion and, as far as the WBC are concerned, the bout is now officially a no-contest.
As the bout was contested on UK soil under the watchful eye of the British Boxing Board of Control, the WBC has also requested that the Board follow its lead and change the result to a no-contest in its records.
Rodriguez tested positive for the use of heptaminol, which is classified as a cardiac stimulant. It has now been accepted that Rodriguez’s ingestion was unintentional.
During the initial stages of the investigation, Matchroom Boxing stated that, “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 21, 2025. The matter will be handled by the BBBofC and the WBC.”
Now that the inquiry has concluded, the WBC closed by saying: “During his Probation Status, Mr. Rodriguez shall participate in a program to be designed and conducted by the WBC Nutrition Committee.
“The program shall aim to address the WBC’s concerns about Mr. Rodriguez’s health and safety in light of the circumstances of the Adverse Finding.
“At a minimum, that program shall comprise no less than once per week counseling sessions in a 30-day period (4 sessions) focusing on prevention of consumption of banned substances and at Champion Rodriguez’s sole cost.”
