WBC Ruling on Rodriguez vs. Yafai Bout
The World Boxing Council (WBC) has officially classified the bout between Francisco Rodriguez Jr. and Galal Yafai on June 21 as a No Contest. This decision follows Rodriguez’s positive test for the prohibited substance Heptaminol, as determined by a test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA). Consequently, Rodriguez has been stripped of the Interim WBC Flyweight Championship, and Yafai has been reinstated as the rightful champion, with an immediate rematch mandated by the governing body.
Details of the Positive Test
On July 8, 2025, VADA alerted the WBC regarding a positive result from Rodriguez’s “A Sample” taken at the fight event in Birmingham, UK. Heptaminol is classified as a stimulant and is expressly prohibited under the WBC’s Clean Boxing Program (CBP). Following a thorough inquiry, including hearings with Rodriguez and his legal team, the WBC concluded that the substance was ingested inadvertently via an over-the-counter energy supplement that Rodriguez had disclosed on his CBP forms. Notably, the product label indicated the presence of Heptaminol, among other banned substances.
Adjudication Agreement and Probation
In light of these findings, the WBC and Rodriguez have entered into an Adjudication Agreement that outlines several key points: it was determined that the substance was consumed unintentionally and not for the purpose of enhancing performance. As a result, Rodriguez has been placed on a 12-month probation, which extends until June 21, 2026. The interim title has been vacated, and the bout will be recorded as a No Contest. The WBC has also reached out to the British Boxing Board of Control, requesting them to officially reflect this change in their records.
Conditions of Probation
During his probation, Rodriguez must fulfill specific conditions, including:
- Undergoing a minimum of three random VADA drug tests at his own cost.
- Participating in a WBC Nutrition Committee initiative, which will involve at least 30 days of weekly counseling focused on increasing awareness of banned substances.
Should Rodriguez violate these terms during his probationary period, he risks facing an indefinite suspension and further consequences from the WBC.
Future of the Rematch
The anticipated rematch between Yafai and Rodriguez is now set to be sanctioned, with the interim title once again at stake. Rodriguez had previously delivered an impressive performance against Yafai, dominating the fight across twelve rounds and setting records for punch output, leading many commentators to hail it as his pinnacle performance. However, with the WBC’s recent ruling, this result has now officially been expunged from the records, pending further disciplinary measures. As of now, BoxRec has yet to update their records to reflect the WBC’s designation, with Yafai’s record still displaying 9-1.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a seasoned boxing journalist, boasting over 15 years of experience within the industry. He has served as the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, where he has conducted interviews with numerous world champions and provided coverage of significant boxing events around the globe.
