Boxer handed two-year ban for failed drug test in UK fight against Galal Yafai as statement released
Francisco Rodriguez has been slapped with a two-year ban following a failed drug test from his win over Galal Yafai last June.
Rodriguez dropped Team GB Olympic Gold medallist Yafai before claiming a dominant unanimous decision win after 12 rounds at Birmingham’s Bp Pulse Live.
In doing so, the 33-year-old from Mexico claimed the WBC interim flyweight belt.
However, just weeks later, it was revealed that Rodriguez had failed a post-fight drug test carried out by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).
In July 2025, the WBC then overturned the result to a no-contest, reinstating Yafai as the interim champion at 122lbs, with an investigation pending.
After originally ordering a rematch between Rodriguez and Yafai, WBC president Mauricio Suliaman confirmed the sanctioning body made a U-turn after finding the Mexican had failed a separate drug test in December.
The WBC then made Yafai the mandatory challenger to unified flyweight champion Ricardo Sandoval, although the Briton has not fought since.
UKAD statement as Rodriguez banned
On Monday, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) ended the anti-doping scandal by announcing Rodriguez’s ban from all World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport for two years.
“On 21 June 2025, UKAD collected a urine Sample from Mr Rodriguez Jr, In-Competition, after his bout against Galal Yafai at the bp pulse LIVE arena, Birmingham,” a statement from UKAD read.
“Analysis of Mr Rodriguez Jr’s Sample returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for the Prohibited Substances octodrine and its Metabolite, heptaminol, in addition to an AAF for oxilofrine.
“Octodrine, heptaminol and oxilofrine are Specified Substances, prohibited in-competition only.
“UKAD notified Mr Rodriguez Jr of his Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) and imposed a Provisional Suspension.
“Having received no response to the notice, UKAD subsequently charged Mr Rodriguez Jr with both ADRVs.
“Mr Rodriguez Jr provided UKAD with no response to the charge, despite multiple efforts to contact the boxer across various channels.
“UKAD did not assert that the ADRVs were intentional and imposed a two-year period of Ineligibility.
“Mr Rodriguez Jr’s ban is deemed to have begun on 30 July 2025 (the date of the Provisional Suspension) and will expire at 11:59pm on 29 July 2027.”
Rodriguez boasts a pro record of 41-6-1, having unsuccessfully challenged for world titles at both super flyweight (115lbs) and light flyweight (108lbs) in 2021 and 2015, respectively.
The Monterrey native did, however, win world titles at minimumweight (105lbs), claiming the IBF and WBO versions in 2014.
Yafai, meanwhile, is undefeated in 10 pro bouts, given his defeat to Rodriguez was overturned.
The former Tokyo Olympic gold medallist entered his fight against the Mexican as a big favourite, having made easy work of former IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards in December 2024.
This month, Yafai’s promoter Matchroom Boxing won the purse bid to stage Yafai’s mandatory fight against Sandoval.
Eddie Hearn‘s Matchroom bid $625,000 to secure the fight, beating the $411,000 offer from Oscar De La Hoya‘s Golden Boy Promotions.
Boxing schedule
For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s boxing schedule.
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