Image source, Getty Images
Image caption, Olympic gold medallist Galal Yafai loses for the first time as a professional
Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at BP Pulse Live Arena, Birmingham
Galal Yafai’s world title ambitions suffered a major setback as the British flyweight was dropped in the final round in a shock points loss to Francisco Rodriguez Jr in Birmingham.
Fighting in his home city, the 32-year-old Olympic gold medallist was rocked early and struggled to handle the relentless pressure and punch volume from the Mexican in a high-tempo contest.
Yafai had moments of success and showed resilience, but was repeatedly hurt, notably in the seventh and ninth, before hitting the canvas in the twelfth.
Although he beat the count, he was clinging on until the end and there was no dispute over the result with scores of 119-108, 119-108 and 118-109.
Yafai is defeated for the first time in 10 professional bouts and loses his WBC interim title.
Once tipped for a rapid ascent to full world honours, the Tokyo 2020 champion now faces a significant rebuilding job.
“[Rodriguez] was relentless tonight. Yafai couldn’t have got into a worse start but I’m so proud of him,” Yafai’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said.
Fast start from Rodriguez sets the tone
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption, Rodriguez Jr is a former unified strawweight world champion and wins his 40th bout in 47 fights
Rodriguez burst out of the blocks, rattling the champion early and buckling Yafai’s legs with a sharp left uppercut. Yafai struggled to fully recover as Rodriguez’s quick hands continued to find the mark through the early stage
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