Unresolved Situation Surrounding Galal Yafai
Two months after Francisco ‘Chihuas’ Rodriguez Jr. was found to have used a prohibited substance, the situation surrounding Galal Yafai’s record continues to be unresolved. Following the June 21 bout in Birmingham, which the World Boxing Council (WBC) classified as a No Contest, Yafai has been reinstated by the WBC as the interim flyweight champion.
Discrepancies in Career Stats
However, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) has yet to acknowledge this decision, leaving discrepancies in how Yafai’s career stats are recorded. Currently, BoxRec lists Yafai with a professional record of 9-1, mistakenly reflecting his first defeat, despite the WBC nullifying his loss against Rodriguez due to the latter’s positive test for Heptaminol, a banned stimulant discovered on the night of the fight.
WBC’s Ruling and Controversy
The WBC responded by stripping Rodriguez of his interim title and placing him on probation for a year, yet this ruling lacks the endorsement of the local regulatory body, leading to scrutiny from boxing commentator Ricardo Celis. Celis questioned the legitimacy of the WBC’s actions, emphasizing that only the BBBofC holds the authority to administer suspensions, which typically last from one to two years.
“The WBC’s ‘probation’ terminology veers away from standard practices in the UK boxing community.”
Defending the WBC’s Decision
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman defended his organization’s decision, stating that they are within their rights to enforce penalties for boxers under their championship, asserting that the punishment is independent of the BBBofC’s ruling. This predicament places Yafai in an awkward position; although the WBC has rightfully reinstated him, he continues to hold a loss on record due to a lack of acknowledgement from British regulators.
Future Implications
Meanwhile, Rodriguez still appears as the victor on paper, despite the fight being declared a no contest by the WBC, resulting in a direct rematch order. The bout itself, where Rodriguez reportedly landed a staggering 528 power punches as per CompuBox statistics, might ultimately be overshadowed by the ensuing controversy rather than lauded for its athletic merits. The boxing community awaits the BBBofC’s decisions to align with the WBC’s findings, and as developments unfold, World Boxing News will keep a close eye on the situation.
