WBC Overturns Rodriguez Win, Orders Yafai Rematch, Imposes 12-Month Probation

Francisco “Chihuas” Rodriguez Jr.'s June 21, 2025, victory over Galal Yafai for the WBC Interim flyweight title was overturned to a No Contest after Rodriguez tested positive for the banned substance Heptaminol, found in an over-the-counter energy booster he admitted to taking. Despite this being Rodriguez's second consecutive failed drug test, the WBC conducted a thorough investigation and ruled the ingestion was accidental, placing him on a 12-month probation rather than issuing a suspension, and ordered a rematch with Yafai. The British Boxing Board of Control, which sanctioned the fight, has yet to release its own ruling and indicated they were unaware of Rodriguez's prior positive test, raising concerns about coordination between the bodies. Critics, including promoter Eddie Hearn and members of Yafai’s team, have expressed strong disapproval of the WBC's leniency, citing the severity of the violations and the physical damage Rodriguez inflicted on Yafai. Rodriguez’s previous December fight was also ruled a No Contest due to doping, which adds to the controversy surrounding his case. The situation remains unresolved pending the BBBofC's decision, while Yafai has been reinstated as the interim champion by the WBC.