Francisco “Chihuas” Rodriguez Jr. Faces Suspension
Mexican flyweight boxer Francisco “Chihuas” Rodriguez Jr. remains on course for his next fight, despite being issued a two-year suspension by the UK Anti-Doping Association (UKAD) following a positive doping test. This decision comes after Rodriguez’s impressive victory over Galal Yafai on June 21, 2025, in which he handed Yafai his first defeat in a lopsided unanimous decision.
Doping Test Results
Following the match, UKAD conducted urine analysis which revealed the presence of banned substances including octodrine, heptaminol, and oxilofrine—classified as prohibited stimulants under anti-doping regulations.
Rodriguez’s suspension officially began on July 30, 2025, the same date as his provisional suspension, and it is set to last until 11:59 p.m. on July 29, 2027. This disciplinary action was the culmination of a series of investigations following his fight with Yafai, where he landed 528 power punches, dominating the bout with scorecards that read 119-108 twice and 118-109.
Reactions and Future Plans
In the immediate aftermath of the bout, reports surfaced regarding his positive test, prompting Rodriguez to deny any intentional usage of banned substances.
His team, including trainer Eddy Reynoso, faced scrutiny as attempts to contact Rodriguez regarding the allegations went unanswered prior to the final ruling.
Interestingly, despite the suspension, Rodriguez continued his career by securing a victory over Jesus Faro just four months later. Furthermore, the World Boxing Council (WBC) imposed its own separate sanction, placing Rodriguez on a 12-month probation. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman defended this decision, stating that testing during the probationary period would be stringent and that any failures would result in immediate penalties.
Concerns and Ongoing Discussions
Critics, however, raised concerns that this dual regulatory approach could create confusion, particularly with the British Boxing Board of Control yet to finalize its position on the case.
As it stands, the result of the initial fight against Yafai remains unchanged in official records, raising discussions about the integrity of the sport and its regulatory framework. Rodriguez is still listed in a forthcoming eliminator bout against Angelino Cordova on May 23, 2026, which could potentially set him up for a rematch against Yafai, who currently holds the WBC interim flyweight title and is preparing to face champion Ricardo Sandoval.
The landscape of doping regulations in combat sports continues to evolve, especially as this case bears similarities to prior controversies, such as that involving fighter Conor Benn, who faced inquiries while competing abroad. The ongoing discussions about anti-doping measures reflect larger concerns about consistency and fairness in enforcement across various jurisdictions.
The boxing community is watching closely as the consequences of Rodriguez’s situation unfold alongside the sporting governance responses.
Phil Jay serves as the Editor-in-Chief for World Boxing News and has over 15 years of experience as a boxing journalist, continuously covering the intricacies of the sport.
