Boxing Match Preview: Galal Yafai (9-0-0, 7 KOs) vs. Francisco Rodriguez Jr (39-6-1, 27 KOs)
This is a pivotal crossroads fight in the flyweight division. Galal Yafai (9–0, 7 KOs), the 2020 Olympic gold medalist, defends his WBC Interim Flyweight Title for the first time after a dominant stoppage win over Sunny Edwards. Standing in his way is Francisco “Chihuas” Rodriguez Jr (39–6–1, 27 KOs), a former unified minimumweight world champion with a wealth of experience and a reputation for durability and pressure.
Galal Yafai: The Birmingham Blitz Continues
Age: 32
Stance: Southpaw
Height: 5′4″ (163 cm)
Hometown: Birmingham, England
Last Fight: TKO6 vs Sunny Edwards (Nov 2024)
Strengths:
Relentless Pressure: Yafai overwhelms opponents with volume and aggression.
Body-Head Combinations: His signature attack mixes punishing body shots with sharp hooks upstairs.
Momentum: Coming off a career-best win over Edwards, Yafai is surging toward a full world title shot.
Concerns:
Defensive Gaps: His forward style can leave him open to counters.
Experience Gap: Rodriguez has over four times as many pro fights.
Francisco Rodriguez Jr: The Mexican Warhorse
Age: 32
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5′2″ (157 cm)
Hometown: Monterrey, Mexico
Last Fight: NC vs Josue Morales (Dec 2024)
Strengths:
Durability: Only stopped once in 46 fights (by Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez).
High Volume: Known for throwing in bunches and working the body.
Big-Fight Experience: Has gone the distance with elite names like Junto Nakatani and Kazuto Ioka.
Concerns:
Recent Form: Winless in his last two official bouts.
Speed Disadvantage: May struggle with Yafai’s tempo and angles.
Tale of the Tape
| Attribute | Galal Yafai | Francisco Rodriguez Jr |
| Record | 9–0–0 (7 KOs) | 39–6–1 (27 KOs) |
| Age | 32 | 32 |
| Height | 5′4″ (163 cm) | 5′2″ (157 cm) |
| Reach | 65″ (165 cm) | 68.1″ (173 cm) |
| Stance | Southpaw | Orthodox |
| Rounds Fought | 54 | 308 |
Keys to Victory
Yafai:
Cut off the ring and keep Rodriguez on the back foot.
Mix up combinations to the body and head.
Avoid reckless exchanges—Rodriguez can still crack.
Rodriguez:
Time Yafai’s aggression with counters.
Work the body early to slow the Brit down.
Use angles and experience to frustrate and outpoint.
FIGHT ODDS
Galal Yafai – 325
Francisco Rodriguez Jr + 275
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, June 20, 2025
