STATUS OF FRANCISCO “CHIHUAS” RODRIGUEZ, JR. WITH THE WBC
On July 8, 2025, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (“VADA”) notified Francisco “Chihuas” Rodriguez, Jr. and the WBC that the urine “A Sample” collected from him on June 21, 2025, in Birmingham, United Kingdom, through his participation in the World Boxing Council Clean Boxing Program (“WBC CBP”) in connection with his bout for the interim WBC World Championship against Galal Yafai, yielded an adverse analytical finding for Heptaminol (the “Adverse Finding”).
Heptaminol is a known cardiac stimulant and vasodilator. Heptaminol is a metabolite of Octodrine. Heptaminol is a banned substance under the WBC CBP and is also included in the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (“WADA”) list of banned substances. On July 11, 2025, the WBC CBP Results Management Unit notified then-Champion Rodriguez of the Adverse Finding and of the start of its investigation of the circumstances that led to it.
Soon after receiving the WBC notification, Champion Rodriguez’s representatives provided photographic evidence of a container and label of an energy enhancement supplement called Lipodrene. There is ample scientific literature support for the fact that supplements containing stimulants have also been found to include and/or be contaminated with Octodrine and other banned substances.
Champion Rodriguez admitted to unintentionally ingesting a supplement that was likely contaminated with Octodrine.
A significant extenuating fact is that Champion Rodriguez reported the use of Lipodrene to the WBC CBP in its registration form. Therefore, his consumption of Lipodrene was not an intentional or knowing ingestion of a banned substance with the purpose of enhancing his athletic performance.
The WBC and Champion Rodriguez entered into an Adjudication Agreement which, among other provisions:
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Placed him on probation for one year from the date of the sample collection.
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Vacated his WBC World Title.
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Changed the outcome of his victory against Galal Yafai to a No Contest.
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Ordered a minimum of three random VADA anti-doping tests at Champion Rodriguez’s sole cost during the probationary period. Three anti-doping tests have been conducted and all have yielded negative results.
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Ordered an educational program focused on nutrition and prevention of consumption of banned substances at his sole cost. Rodriguez has actively participated in social responsibility events.
Champion Rodriguez and his camp cooperated with the WBC CBP at all stages of the investigation of his adverse finding. He has complied with all conditions in the Adjudication Agreement.
The WBC has learned that on March 30, 2026, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) notified Champion Rodriguez that it had imposed a two-year period of ineligibility for the very same adverse finding described above.
The WBC legal counsel as well as the WBC CBP Results Management Unit have tried several times in prior cases to work together with UKAD in situations similar to Champion Rodriguez’s. UKAD has never responded to the WBC’s overtures and does not recognize the WBC CBP nor its results management rulings or Adjudication Agreements.
The Rodriguez v. Yafai bout was for a WBC Championship and took place under the authority of the WBC. In light of the WBC/Rodriguez fair and just Adjudication Agreement, the WBC will continue to allow Champion Rodriguez to compete in WBC bouts.
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