Galal Yafai looks to close on full world title, as he takes on Francisco Rodriguez Jr in a defence of his interim WBC flyweight title at bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham on Saturday.
Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promote Yafai vs Rodriguez and DAZN televise live worldwide.
2020 Olympic Gold medallist, Yafai (9-0, 7 KOs) has been fast-tracked since turning professional in 2022, taking the WBC International title in his first fight.
The 32-year-old defended that belt five times, the last an eighth-round stoppage of Agustin Mauro Gauto in April last year, and after halting Sergio Orozco Oliva in a tune-up fight last September, he then took on Sunny Edwards in Birmingham two months later.
In a bout that many expected to be close, Yafai dominated the former world champion, and took the WBC interim title by stopping Edwards in six rounds, a defeat which sent ‘Showtime’ into retirement.
The home favourite has WBC and WBA champion Kenshiro Taraji in his sights, but the experienced former unified minimumweight world champion, Rodriguez (39-6-1, 27 KOs) stands in his way.
The Mexican has unsuccessfully tried to win the WBO world title at light flyweight and super flyweight since that period in his career, but did go the full ten rounds with the formidable Junto Nakatani in 2022, losing on points to the Japanese bantamweight world champion.
The 32-year-old fought three times in 2024, the last an eight round points win against Josue Morales that was changed to a no contest last December.
Prediction: Yafai should be a level above the visitor, and should pull away down the stretch for a clear points win.
Walker-Taylor battle for British title
The undercard sees the British welterweight title on the line, as the champion, Conah Walker defends for the first time against Liam Taylor.
Walker (15-3-1, 6 KOs) took British and Commonwealth titles in January in a thrilling penultimate-round stoppage of Harry Scarff in Nottingham, while Taylor (28-2-1, 14 KOs) has won his last five since being stopped in two by David Avanesyan in a bid for the European title in October 2021.
Prediction: Walker is on a good run, and can continue that this weekend with a stoppage win against Taylor.
A stunning turnaround from @ConahWalker to win the British welterweight title last time out 🇬🇧#YafaiRodriguez | June 21 | Live on DAZN
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) June 16, 2025
McGrail meets Baluta
Peter McGrail (11-1, 6 KOs) is on a good run of form, and gets a solid opponent in a ten-rounder with Ionut Baluta (17-5-1, 3 KOs) at super bantamweight, after Shabaz Masoud withdrew through injury.
Prediction: Baluta is coming off an upset win against Brad Strand, but McGrail can keep him at bay to record a points win.
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Remaining Undercard
In eight-round action, super featherweight prospect Ibraheem Sulaimaan (7-0, 4 KOs) should record a points win against Brian Phillips (12-4, 3 KOs), and Giorgio Visioli (7-0, 6 KOs) can win early in his super featherweight clash against Elias Federico Duguet (7-1-1, 2 KOs).
Flyweight novice Hamza Uddin (4-0, 1 KO) can outpoint Johsua Vallejo (6-1-2, 3 KOs), and Coventry middleweight Aaron Bowen (5-0, 3 KOs) can stop Spain’s Alvaro Godoy (7-4, 2 KOs).
In six round action, Pat Brown (1-0, 1 KOs) continues his professional education, and the cruiserweight should take a stoppage win against Ivan Duka (5-5, 3 KOs), and Tiah Mai Ayton can debut with a points win against Bec Connolly (3-22) at super bantamweight.
