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Rodríguez Jr. Shocks Yafai, Captures WBC Interim Flyweight Crown
In a stunning upset, Francisco Rodríguez Jr. defeated Galal Yafai via unanimous decision Saturday night to seize the WBC interim flyweight title. The fight, held in Birmingham, England, saw Rodríguez relentlessly pressure Yafai, ultimately leading to the former Olympian’s first professional defeat.
Rodríguez’s victory positions him for a shot at the WBC world flyweight title later this year, facing the winner of the upcoming Kenshiro teraji versus Ricardo Rafael Sandoval match set for July 30 in Japan.
Relentless Pressure Pays off For rodríguez
Francisco Rodríguez Jr. (40-6-1,27 KOs) imposed his will early,drawing Galal yafai (9-1,7 KOs) into a grueling brawl. Rodríguez’s superior power and relentless aggression proved too much for Yafai, who struggled to maintain distance and dictate the pace.
The judges’ scorecards reflected Rodríguez’s dominance, reading 119-108, 119-108, and 118-109. A final-round knockdown underscored Rodríguez’s performance, solidifying his claim as a serious contender in the flyweight division.
Fight Highlights And Key Moments
Rodríguez started strong, winning the first round convincingly and momentarily rocking Yafai with a sharp left uppercut. Yafai suffered a cut above his left eye in the second round, which worsened as the fight progressed. While Yafai showed moments of brilliance, particularly in the fifth round, Rodríguez consistently landed the more notable, impactful blows.
In the 12th and final round, Rodríguez sealed the victory by flooring Yafai with a series of hooks, leaving no doubt about his triumph.
Compubox Punch Stats: A Clear Advantage
The Compubox statistics further illustrate Rodríguez’s dominance, revealing a significant disparity in punches landed.
| Punches | Yafai | Rodriguez |
|---|
