BOXER Francisco Rodriguez has been handed a two-year ban for a failed drugs test.
The 32-year-old was tested after his win over Team GB Olympic Gold medallist Galal Yafai last June.
Rodriguez had won the fight by unanimous decision to claim the WBC interim flyweight belt.
However, it was subsequently revealed that he had failed a post-fight drug test carried out by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.
Yafai was reinstated as the interim champion as a result, with the bout ruled a no-contest pending investigation.
A rematch was initially ordered by WBC president Mauricio Suliaman, but he went back on his decision after Rodriguez failed a separate drugs test in December.
It was then confirmed on Monday that the Mexican fighter had been given a ban.
A statement from UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) read: “On 21 June 2025, UKAD collected a urine Sample from Mr Rodriguez Jr, In-Competition, after his bout against Galal Yafai at the bp pulse LIVE arena, Birmingham.
“Analysis of Mr Rodriguez Jr’s Sample returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for the Prohibited Substances octodrine and its Metabolite, heptaminol, in addition to an AAF for oxilofrine.
“Octodrine, heptaminol and oxilofrine are Specified Substances, prohibited in-competition only.
“UKAD notified Mr Rodriguez Jr of his Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) and imposed a Provisional Suspension.
“Having received no response to the notice, UKAD subsequently charged Mr Rodriguez Jr with both ADRVs.
“Mr Rodriguez Jr provided UKAD with no response to the charge, despite multiple efforts to contact the boxer across various channels.
“UKAD did not assert that the ADRVs were intentional and imposed a two-year period of Ineligibility.
“Mr Rodriguez Jr’s ban is deemed to have begun on 30 July 2025 (the date of the Provisional Suspension) and will expire at 11:59pm on 29 July 2027.”
Rodriguez has a record of 41-6-1 as a pro.
Following his two failed drugs tests, the WBC made Yafai the mandatory challenger to unified flyweight champion Ricardo Sandoval.
