Francisco Rodriguez has been banned from boxing in the U.K. for two years after failing a drug test following his fight with Galal Yafai, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) announced Monday.
Rodriguez brutally beat and outpointed Yafai last June in Birmingham, England, to win the WBC interim flyweight strap. After the bout, UKAD collected a urine sample from Rodriguez, which returned adverse findings for banned substances octodrine, heptaminol and oxilofrine. Octodrine is used in pre-workout and fat-burning supplements, heptaminol is a cardiac stimulant; and oxilofrine is a sympathomimetic stimulant with performance-enhancing properties. UKAD originally imposed a provisional suspension on Rodriguez but the Mexican failed to respond to the notice. Consequently, he was charged with Anti-Doping Rule Violations, which UKAD has not asserted were intentional. Rodriguez's ban is retroactive and began on July 30, 2025. It will end on July 30, 2027. Yafai hasn't fought since but will clash with Ricardo Sandoval for his WBC 112-pound title later this year after Matchroom Boxing won a purse bid to stage the bout.
