Francisco Rodriguez fails drug test after win over Yafai

Francisco Rodriguez Jr returned an “adverse analytical finding” in his anti-doping test.

Francisco Rodriguez Jr has returned an “adverse analytical finding” in his Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) drug test following his June 21 upset win over Galal Yafai.

VADA sent the news today to Matchroom Boxing, who promoted the event, plus the WBC, whose interim flyweight title was won by Rodriguez, and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC). The WBC and BBBofC will investigate the matter.

As in all cases, Rodriguez (40-6-1, 27 KO) and his team will have the right to have the “B” sample tested, as well. It’s rare that this comes back differently, though it has happened.

If the “B” sample is also positive, the win will likely be overturned to a no-contest, though for Yafai (9-1, 7 KO), the bigger issue would remain the irreversible effects of the beating he took in the bout, as the 32-year-old Olympic gold medalist sustained an incredible amount of punishment by hanging tough over 12 rounds.

Rodriguez is part of Eddy Reynoso’s No Boxing, No Life team, which will no doubt be a large part of the conversation, as stablemate Jaime Munguia also recently failed a drug test, with both the “A” and “B” samples coming back positive on him following his May 3 rematch win over Bruno Surace.

Munguia’s win over Surace has yet to be overturned, though that is still expected.

Sunny Edwards, who was on commentary during the fight for DAZN, made a suggestion during the fight that Rodriguez’s tireless performance in the bout could have been due to performance-enhancing drugs, for which he was quickly criticized.