Purse Bid Drama Unfolds: Yafai Vs Rodriguez Set For March 25

The long-awaited showdown between England’s Galal Yafai and Mexico’s Francisco ‘Chihuas’ Rodriguez for the WBC interim flyweight title is officially heading to a purse bid. With negotiations falling through, the World Boxing Council (WBC) has scheduled a final hearing for March 25, where promoters will battle it out to secure the rights to stage this highly anticipated fight. Yafai vs Rodriguez is set to be one of the most intriguing matchups in the division, with both fighters eager to claim the interim title and move one step closer to full championship status.

Failed Negotiations Push Fight to Purse Bid

When the WBC ordered this fight, many expected a deal to be reached quickly. However, despite multiple discussions, neither Yafai’s team—Matchroom Boxing, led by Eddie Hearn—nor Rodriguez’s representatives—No Boxing, No Life (managed by Eddy Reynoso) and MP Promotions (owned by Manny Pacquiao)—could come to terms.

With time running out, the WBC had no choice but to schedule a purse bid, which allows any promoter to submit financial offers for the rights to organize the fight. Even though the bid is set for March 25, there’s still a slim chance both camps could strike a last-minute deal and bypass the process altogether. But at this point, that seems unlikely.

Galal Yafai: The Rising Star Ready for His First Defense

Yafai, a 32-year-old British southpaw, has made a name for himself in the flyweight division in record time. Since turning pro, he has compiled a flawless 9-0 record with seven knockouts. A decorated amateur, Yafai won gold for Great Britain at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics before transitioning to the pro ranks.

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His biggest victory came on November 30, 2024, when he stopped former IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards in the sixth round to claim the WBC interim title. That fight, held in his hometown of Birmingham, England, capped off a stellar year in which Yafai won three fights and proved he belongs among the best at 112 pounds.

Now, he faces a new challenge in Rodriguez, an experienced and battle-tested opponent who has been in the ring with some of the division’s toughest names. A win here would cement Yafai’s status as a legitimate world title contender.

Source: Galal Yafai-Francisco Rodriguez interim title fight heads to March 25 purse bid

Francisco Rodriguez: The Veteran Looking for Another Title

Rodriguez, also 32, is no stranger to championship fights. With a record of 39 wins, six losses, and one draw, including 27 knockouts, the Mexican fighter has been in the ring with some of the best. A former unified IBF and WBO strawweight champion, Rodriguez has fought his way back up the rankings and now has another shot at a major title.

He earned his mandatory challenger status at the WBC’s 2023 convention in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, following a convincing ten-round victory over fellow Mexican Joel Cordova in January 2023. That win came after a hard-fought points loss to Junto Nakatani in Japan in late 2022.

Rodriguez has remained active since then, going unbeaten in his last four fights. However, his most recent bout—an eight-round win over Josue Morales in December 2024—was later changed to a no-decision. Despite that hiccup, he retains his mandatory spot and is eager to prove he deserves to be the WBC’s interim champion.

Purse Bid Drama Unfolds: Yafai vs Rodriguez Set for March 25

The Teraji Factor: What Happens Next

The WBC ordered this fight while its full flyweight champion, Kenshiro Teraji, was given the green light to unify titles with Seigo Yuri Akui, the WBA champion. That fight, held on March 13, 2025, turned into an instant classic, with Teraji mounting a dramatic comeback to stop Akui in the 12th and final round, making him a unified champion in two weight classes.

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Teraji has hinted at moving up to super flyweight (115 pounds) in the near future, which means the Yafai-Rodriguez winner could be elevated to full WBC champion if Teraji vacates his belt. If he stays at flyweight, the winner of this fight will have to face him later this year in what would be a massive showdown.

What’s Next for the Flyweight Division

The March 25 purse bid will determine where and when the Yafai-Rodriguez fight will take place. If a major promoter wins the bid, it could be staged in a high-profile venue in England, Mexico, or the United States.

Yafai is looking to make a statement by defending his title in dominant fashion, while Rodriguez is desperate to reclaim championship glory. This fight has all the makings of a classic—two fighters at the top of their game, battling for a shot at flyweight supremacy.

For now, all eyes are on March 25. Will the fight land in the UK, Mexico, or somewhere else? Will Yafai continue his meteoric rise, or will Rodriguez use his experience to pull off an upset? The answers will come soon, and boxing fans won’t want to miss it.