Francisco Rodriguez Jr. Faces Scrutiny After Positive Test
Francisco Rodriguez Jr. is facing scrutiny after a positive test for a prohibited substance was reported following his stunning victory over Galal Yafai. The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) communicated the unexpected result to Matchroom Boxing, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), and the World Boxing Council (WBC), stemming from a post-fight test conducted on June 21, 2025. This testing coincided with Rodriguez’s impressive upset win in an away match in the UK, where he delivered a remarkable performance, breaking records along the way.
An official release from Matchroom stated on Tuesday evening: “The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association has confirmed that Francisco Rodriguez has yielded an adverse analytical finding as part of his post-fight doping screening after his match against Galal Yafai on June 21, 2025. The British Boxing Board of Control and the World Boxing Council will manage the situation.”
This development is a significant cloud over a night that was previously celebrated; Rodriguez made history by landing a remarkable 575 punches out of 1089 thrown, marking a new record for the flyweight division over 12 rounds. In contrast, Yafai managed to connect with only 230 of his 795 punches. While Yafai has acknowledged Matchroom’s announcement by reposting it on social media, he has not yet offered any public statement on the matter.
Details about the specific substance involved in Rodriguez’s positive test remain undisclosed, and his team has not made any comments thus far. Initially considered an underdog, Rodriguez’s performance was perceived as a considerable challenge to Yafai, who was on a rise in the boxing ranks. The BBBofC has the authority to possibly overturn the fight’s result, pending further investigations, and Rodriguez could potentially face a significant suspension.
The situation continues to evolve, and World Boxing News will follow any updates closely.
