- 6/22/2025
Galal Yafai vs. Francisco Rodriguez Jr. (21-06-2025) Full Fight
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00:00Okay gentlemen, you're both entering instructions in the dress room so you know what's expected.
00:05Keep your punches up, obey my command and protect yourselves at all times.
00:08Good luck to both gents, touch gloves.
00:10Is this the last acid test before Galal Yafai has the chance of being crowned King of the Flies?
00:18Come fly with me was the headline on this week's front cover of Boxing News
00:23and we're loving the voyage. He's 32 now, undefeated as nine,
00:28but he's in with a warrior of the same age who's had 47 fights and this is his 283rd round
00:38and he's aggressive and he's non-stop and the styles Sonny could gel very well.
00:44And straight away a few nice shots landed there for Rodriguez, took role by Yafai
00:48but straight away letting us know that he's got a handful in front of him.
00:52Wasting no time Sonny.
00:54No, and just how Galal fights, you know this will be suiting Galal.
00:58He likes putting the pressure on, he likes being close and constantly fighting but
01:02it's very different when you've got a big touch of Mexican in front of you.
01:06The interim WBC belt champion, Japan's Kenshiro Taraji.
01:12Naughty that for Rodriguez I thought.
01:16And there might be one or two things he's picked up along the way.
01:20What a journey it's been for him since he was 17 and turned over as they do young in Mexico.
01:28But still fighting.
01:30Oh, a lift up a car.
01:31Lovely shot from Rodriguez and body shots as well.
01:35And the corner going absolutely mad, the red corner.
01:40Yafai hurt in the opener and here comes Rodriguez and Yafai is under pressure for the first time in his pro career.
01:49Real pressure.
01:50And this is the problem with the style that Galal has when you're constantly put on pressure.
01:53If you've got a bigger puncher in front of you, you're walking onto shots and clean shots at that.
01:58But a good response straight away from Galal.
02:00Yep, just holds his feet there. Yafai but eats another body shot.
02:04And he's a terrier this Rodriguez.
02:07Where's that power Adam? 27 inside the distance. Serious power.
02:14And he didn't even load up with the shot.
02:17Turns southpaw. A handful in this first round. Yafai trying to match fire with fire.
02:24Get things back under control. But another uppercut from Rodriguez.
02:28And the crowd silenced here in Birmingham.
02:31Yeah, quiet. And you mentioned Rodriguez going to southpaw.
02:34He did that basically the entire fight against Nakatani who himself was southpaw.
02:39Getting good work though from Rodriguez.
02:41And this again, the style matchup.
02:44Where Yafai is really trying to plant his feet and let some clean shots go in.
02:47He's almost just getting smothered by the barrage of shots coming from Rodriguez at times.
02:52Combinations from Rodriguez early. Hammering away to the body.
02:57And Yafai in a stormy start here. He's got to just get, I think, that minute break.
03:07Back to Rod McCracken in the corner. Reset himself.
03:10Because Rodriguez has taken this opener big.
03:14Very good balance, Rodriguez. Look at the base he works from. Very rarely falling over the front foot.
03:26That's where he gets the power from. Solid base.
03:29Better shot from there, Galau. He's landed some good shots this round, Galau.
03:33But the big, powerful, meaningful shot that we remember him was definitely the uppercut.
03:37And Messi.
03:47And Messi.
03:48And Graffi.
03:49Ronaldo over the shot. Oh, it's gone in.
03:51It's one of the greats.
03:53To score a goal like that, you can see what it meant to me personally.
03:59Second scores for England.
04:01Surely now Spain have won the World Cup.
04:05Oh, go, go, go, go!
04:08Go!
04:13Champions on the Walls!
04:17But repeat it.
04:18It's going well.
04:19It's going very good.
04:20It's going well, guys.
04:21It's going very early.
04:22For Rodriguez.
04:23It was only such a short uppercut.
04:25It was a half-run uppercut.
04:26And he almost worried how much...
04:29much almost worrying how much of a reaction he got but first round he might have got caught cold
04:35a bit there with that shot just bangs his fist together yeah fire as if to get started again
04:41again good body shot from francisco rodriguez the corner uh in between the round was screaming for
04:48the uppercut they want rodriguez to throw that shot they say he's much stronger than your fight
04:54big right hands as well and your fight's got to get his boxing going here the olympic gold medalist
05:00is struggling early and he's throwing that left uppercut just like he caught him within the first
05:05round he's so short but he's got all of his weight transferred onto his front foot and as soon as he
05:10falls his short little uppercut he's finding that fight too easy right now with that shot
05:15yes but what you said there adam he's got to get his boxing going keep it long keep it straight
05:20first and third plenty of feints no need to be trading with rodriguez
05:30nine and oh remember yeah five with seven knockouts but this is the step up all due respect sonny
05:38former world champion alongside us bit odd to say that with you here being such a great world champion
05:43yourself but yeah he was too good for you that night yeah definitely but the biggest difference now
05:49between the ring he's in now than he was last time is he's got a big puncher in front of him and i'm
05:54not too proud to admit that i've never been a heavy puncher now galal can walk me down and keep throwing
05:59and he weathered me that night however he's in against someone that every time he stood in front of
06:04them right now looks more dangerous than him and that's a massive problem stylistically hearing rob
06:09mccracken in the corner as well stay smart
06:19bates just giving uh rodriguez a ticking off for low blows really trying to wet shots in
06:27comes back with a classy one but these body shots and some strain low the plan from rodriguez and there's
06:33the upper cap that the corner were asking for fair play to your fire though he's not making a big deal
06:40of the the shots that are straining low but yeah again needs to keep it long needs to keep it smart
06:47as what mccracken's calling for and for rodriguez keep that good center that good balance and look for
06:54that overhand right he drops the left to the body really really well changing the levels
06:58good shot with the lead hand from galalia fire there found a nice court score up a cop
07:05a couple of right hands yafi and suddenly rodriguez looks stronger again just when he a fight is
07:12beginning to get set is he just playing the game for rodriguez is he is he just boxing the wrong fight
07:21exactly that he's fighting the wrong fight
07:23but this is how galal's always thought he's always been used to being a stronger one when they come
07:30together
07:34is it sensible it's certainly making for crackling entertainment as the two of them go at each other
07:40here yafi and rodriguez wbc interim flyweight title on the line what a couple of rounds he's cut i think yafi
07:53is
08:00i like to move it
08:02i like to move it
08:05i like to move it
08:06move it
08:07you like to
08:08I like to move it, I like to move it, move it, you like to move it.
08:28I'm going to sit there fighting, yeah?
08:31Welcome back.
08:33Yeah, fight cut.
08:35Clash of heads.
08:36Fairly nasty.
08:37Over the left eye, they'll be working on it in between rounds.
08:40Rodriguez is already up off his stool, raring to go at Yafai.
08:46Well, it's the hardest yet professional rounds for Galal Yafai.
08:52His brothers watching on from inside and the uppercut right at the beginning.
08:57Rodriguez is super confident.
08:59Yeah, and the shots are bouncing off of the head of Rodriguez, not having any effect so far.
09:04That's a good right hook, though.
09:05From Yafai.
09:07He's got power, Sonny, hasn't he, Yafai?
09:11Definitely, but he hasn't got that sort of unhinged explosive power that Rodriguez is coming out of with some of these shots.
09:18It's more calculated.
09:20It's always quite heavy and consistently spiteful, but he doesn't turn over and get the 100%.
09:24And I think that's where in these firefights, he's coming a little bit short when they're coming together.
09:29Blood to the nose now of Rodriguez to add to the early drama.
09:33What fight action we're having tonight on DAZN at every sort of level.
09:38Great show from Matchroom.
09:40And have they saved the best to last?
09:43Better work from Galal there.
09:44Being a bit more mobile with his upper body while still throwing.
09:54Better work good.
09:56I think Rodriguez did a good job at riding most of those shots there, though, Darren.
10:00And the right thing, though, after Galal.
10:02Instead of trading, just grabs hold of Rodriguez.
10:04Close the gap and smother the work back.
10:06That nose doesn't look too pretty of Francisco Rodriguez.
10:11We saw what happened to Liam Taylor, who struggled with his breathing in the previous fight.
10:16So Galal, if I might just sense that in there.
10:20I bet you Rodriguez doesn't even know he's got a busted nose.
10:24These Mexican warriors over the years who've given us so much entertainment.
10:30But Yafai has got to deal with this test.
10:34If he's going to fight for the WBC belt for real.
10:37Both southpaw now.
10:39Oh, one-two from Rodriguez.
10:42Galal smiles, though, as he comes back.
10:46So composed.
10:48Even after getting caught with a big shot, he's still sticking to the same plan.
10:54Good to see from Yafai that he's hanging in there, not looking to go on the run.
11:01He's really trying to prove a point here tonight, the Birmingham man.
11:08But Francisco Rodriguez is full of energy and ambition himself.
11:14They're riding the shots well there, slipping and sliding.
11:17Rolling under the shots.
11:19Better footwork, though, from Yafai.
11:20Good work, popping his shot.
11:23A nice rhythm there.
11:24And not staying there for too long as well.
11:26That's it.
11:27That's the key to victory right now.
11:29Just not holding your feet for too long.
11:31Rodriguez there, just rubbing his head on the cut.
11:34That is old man tactics.
11:37Trying everything in there.
11:38Oh, the shots, even if they're missing, they look so heavy as they're coming out of Rodriguez.
11:49Great first three, Jamie.
11:51Over to you and the guys.
11:53Yep, let's get the thoughts from the guest panel.
11:55Joe McGrail didn't take long for this one to catch fire.
11:57What do you think?
11:58Yeah, from the first bell, it went off, hasn't it?
12:02I've got two ones for Galal.
12:04I think the Mexican came out fast, won the first, and I think Galal has come into it the last two, yeah.
12:10What have you made of it, Adam?
12:11Rodriguez looks strong in there, looks like the puncher out of the two, perhaps.
12:14They're both giving great accounts to themselves.
12:17I don't see a guy in 12 rounds, but they're both trading leather,
12:22and they're making a great fight for what everyone wants to see.
12:26Shabazz, you're a great thinker in the ring,
12:28and you're very good at making those small adjustments.
12:30If you're Galal Yafai now, what are you changing up heading into this fourth round?
12:34100%.
12:34I was literally just going to say that he needs to make some adjustments,
12:38especially with his feet.
12:39He needs a bit more in and out.
12:40Big head to the side, box a little bit more.
12:42He wants to trade, so, yep.
12:45Round four coming up.
12:47Yeah, I like that from Shabazz there.
12:48He needs just to get his feet moving,
12:51and it's a quick start to the fourth round from Galal Yafai.
12:55A close first three.
12:59Here's Rodriguez slightly in front.
13:02He certainly looks dangerous every time.
13:05He opens those hooks.
13:08Wide and arcing power.
13:1127 knockouts for a small guy, Sonny.
13:16Wow.
13:16And not only that, think about the fighters that he's gone to distance with.
13:19He's been in the ring with some of the best fighters these weight divisions have had to offer all around the world.
13:25And the only person to stop him, Roman Gonzalez.
13:27What a legend he is.
13:28Chocolatito, one of the greatest fighters ever.
13:33He has a real knack of slipping that left uppercut through the guard of Galal Yafai.
13:39Rodriguez.
13:40He's having some success from Southpaw there as well.
13:42Rodriguez changed and found the lead uppercut again on the other side a couple of times.
13:46Yeah, like I say, he fought basically the whole fight against Nakatani Southpaw.
13:50Obviously, Nakatani is Southpaw.
13:53Switching it up a little bit, trying to confuse your fire.
13:56Break! Break! Break!
13:59Just dabbing at that eye, isn't he?
14:02More blood as well, coming from the eye of Galal.
14:04Well, he's already learning more in these first four rounds as a professional than he's had probably in all.
14:11Oh, lovely so far.
14:13Beautiful work there.
14:19I would like to see Galal do more body work, though.
14:22I know he throws real nice body shots.
14:24Right now, it seems like he's headhunting a little bit.
14:27Well, he might be panicking slightly because that eye looks bad.
14:30Yeah, he's dabbing it.
14:31His brothers there on their feet at ringside.
14:34And this is really testing times for Galal Yafai.
14:39And he's sickening left to the body.
14:41I'm sure that eye, that cut is worse.
14:46And this is where we're going to see the expertise of Ian Gatt in this fight.
14:50Been with Galal from the amateur system.
14:52Still in his corner looking after his cuts now.
14:55But he's going to have a lot of work to do if this fight goes on too much longer.
15:00Looking at the eye.
15:01Referee Mark Bates.
15:03That's not a good sign.
15:04Elbow there from Galal Yafai.
15:06Just trying to fail Rodriguez.
15:09And have a look at that.
15:10Eddie Hearn on his feet.
15:13Gamal Yafai as well.
15:15What a family they've been the Yafais for Birmingham boxing.
15:19They're just not having the same effect, are they?
15:22The shots of Galal Yafai in comparison to the shots of Rodriguez.
15:27He's having some success, Yafai.
15:29But they seem to be bouncing off this Mexican who's willing to just walk through walls.
15:35It seems like blood on the left eye of Rod Rodgers.
15:38Oh, good shot.
15:39So you've got other cuts there from Yafai.
15:41It's hard to keep up with everything.
15:42Oh, look at that cut.
15:43It's awful.
15:44It really does.
15:46We've got so much work to do in that blue corner.
15:49Some good work there from both fighters.
16:01I think there was a lot of firefighting, a lot of exchanges.
16:05Yafai getting the best off at some point.
16:07I think that was quite a hard round to score if all things were considered.
16:10And probably like most of the rounds really, apart from that clear shot in the first round.
16:16He'll be finding out so much about himself here.
16:18Galal Yafai, this is stuff that you can't teach, you can't buy.
16:22Heart, desire, will to win.
16:26He's in there with a real tough nut.
16:28A warrior in Rodriguez, former champion.
16:33He's only had 53 rounds as a pro down, Galal Yafai.
16:38And these minutes ahead tonight are critical.
16:43Absolutely crucial.
16:45Acid test.
16:46Many were courting this.
16:48Kinshira Taraji from Japan, the world champion, holds the WBC belt.
16:56And that's the prize really at stake for the winner of this.
17:00Who's it going to be, Francisco Rodriguez or Galal Yafai?
17:05Whose corner would you rather be in, honestly, Sonny, at this point?
17:09Oh, I feel like after the first few rounds, Galal's definitely come and got a little bit better.
17:15Every round he's getting a little bit better.
17:17I don't know if the conditioning is starting to catch up with Rodriguez, the pace he's setting.
17:23He's also not putting as much weight behind every punch as Rodriguez.
17:26So he won't be tiring as fast, but he's taken a fair few so far.
17:30Yeah, he has, but I feel he's done really well.
17:33There's a cut to the left eye of Rodriguez.
17:35I think he's done well to get back into this, Adam, after that first round.
17:40I think he's kept a cool head here, Galal Yafai.
17:43A body shot went in about 30 seconds or so ago, which was really good.
17:48They stand toe-to-toe here.
17:50The pair of them from the southpaw stance just firing out shots.
17:55It really is an entertaining bloodbark.
17:58This is a cracking fifth round here in Birmingham.
18:02Both holding their feet, both letting big shots go.
18:05You feel at any moment, anything can happen.
18:07They're savages, the pair of them, they really are.
18:11And you wonder why there's any reason why I retired, Adam.
18:14Galal batting me, and this was the next fight.
18:15I know, the next fight.
18:17Tom Dallas matchmaker matchroom.
18:19Wow, what a night he's given us.
18:21Right hand from Rodriguez to the body of Yafai.
18:26Who is going to last better?
18:2912th round seems a long time, doesn't it?
18:33That cuts bad above Rodriguez's eye, though.
18:35Yeah, it is.
18:37But it's like that nose, he doesn't care, does he?
18:41Stop boxing, stop boxing!
18:42Oh.
18:43One after that, stop boxing, that's a bad cut.
18:46It really is, Rodriguez is as well as Yafai's.
18:50Is this going to go the distance, can it?
18:53You can't see it.
18:54Not with these cuts.
18:55If nothing else, a big shot, does it, lad?
18:59Rodriguez's cut looks worse for me, though, right now, than Galal's.
19:02It's better there when he keeps it long, Yafai.
19:07Nice work from Yafai.
19:10Settling down here.
19:12A little bit less whim coming from the punches of Rodriguez.
19:16He's not really letting him go with that same intensity of the first few rounds.
19:20Yeah, still throwing out the body shots, Rodriguez.
19:23Maybe the power not quite as much, and Yafai could have taken the best work.
19:29I think so.
19:30They're not having the same effect as they certainly did in that opening round.
19:35And now, look, the left thigh of Yafai worsens.
19:39Oh, beautiful left hand.
19:42Fantastic shot from the local man.
19:44It's a good round, this, for Galal Yafai.
19:47Very impressive in many ways.
19:57And even though I feel like Galal really has landed some nice clean shots,
20:00there's also a lot of inside work.
20:02Again, with that lead uppercut, he's been finding it quite regularly throughout this fight.
20:07Again, when Galal is trading, there's always something coming back from Rodriguez.
20:13I definitely think the tide has definitely started to creep up.
20:16Maybe turning a little bit, but I do think there's a long way to go,
20:19and Rodriguez is still dangerous.
20:23Yeah, some really good work from Rodriguez.
20:25The highlights really favoring the Mexican.
20:27There was a lot of good work from Yafai, but this is brawling.
20:31I think there's a lot of good work from Yafai.
20:36Bruling is the right word.
20:39Walker against Taylor was this one.
20:42Round six.
20:45Terrific main event here.
20:48On a mid-summer night.
20:50The longest night of the year.
20:52a summer full of action live on the zone so many great events ahead week after week but firstly
21:02we've got to find a winner here who's going to go on and fight for the wbc belt for real
21:08galalia fai from britain or francisco rodriguez you can see how close it is from joe adam and shabazz
21:16yeah and you probably can't disagree with any of those three scorecards from the fighters there
21:24i genuinely believe that you could score this quite a few different ways and be right but that
21:29was a good shot from galal he's finding a lot of success with a backhand shot around the side of
21:34the target yeah i feel rodriguez losing his shape a little bit as well when he lets the shots go and
21:39that's allowing your fire to find the opening just see their little clumsy but the foot workers
21:43really celebrating in the opening round the balance that he was showing really turning
21:49his hips into that left hook rodriguez but back comes your fight again both of them throwing so
21:54much leather in these first six rounds remember rodriguez is much more seasoned for the longer
22:03fights galalia fai the olympic gold medalist such a great amateur over the shorter distances but what
22:11will happen late into the championship round should it go there blue right hook from rodriguez
22:18again a reminder to your fight keep your hands tight
22:21the former car factory worker from sully hole who made the transition into boxing galalia fai
22:37desperate to become an olympic gold medalist who wins a world title but it's so tough at this level
22:45sammy you know yeah and i mean i never stood there really on the way up and fought these sort of
22:51fighters in the pocket like galal was doing i boxed and moved in every which way that i possibly could oh
22:57big big punching fighters these mexicans they come over they can take a shot they can go through the fire
23:03and i will stay with you every single second of the way and the view of the car rodriguez
23:09that's it away and it's not pretty terrible car yep slice by the left eye
23:17yafai is well cut by the left eye it's a bloody battle in birmingham 20 seconds left of the sixth
23:26more great action here rodriguez head and body
23:30yafai comes back give us more and galal really called this all week he said it might not be a fun
23:37fight for me but it's going to be a fun fight for the fans and he was bang on
23:41evan and flow in really good work from both
23:45terrific round of boxing we are so enjoying this between galal
23:52yafai and francisco rodriguez eddie hern told me it'll be brilliant and it is
23:58jake paul julio cesar chavez jr whose father of course one of the greatest fighters ever
24:11jake fighting the sun next saturday live on the zone do not miss that saturday july the 12th
24:22we're in new york it's belanga shiraz and it's stevenson and zerbeda it's a doubleheader ring magazine show
24:31the third
24:32mid-july week after a member of zeusik dubois
24:37galal yafai quick to his feet for the start of the second half wbc interim title on the line here
24:50the famous old flyweight division yafai desperate to try and uh move forwards
24:59and use 2025 as the year to strike gold as a professional have a look at the statistics
25:05rodriguez look how many he's landed the percentage on the computer is phenomenal
25:11i mean the the output from both thrown 526 from rodriguez higher 400s oh he just takes his
25:20shot there you fight his heart right hand and down sort of bundle down but he was hurt before
25:27and his legs have just gone slightly stiff there galal yafai and inside the first minute of the
25:34seventh round francisco rodriguez smells blood here yafai was hurt in the opener now he's in
25:41trouble again in the seventh can he withstand this storm from the mexicans he's got a hold try and
25:49weather the storm move your feet do not trade with rodriguez in these scenarios these situations suit the
25:56mexican
25:56punches raining it now from rodriguez yafai all over the place and will this lack of professional
26:07experience just haunt him here can he get through it's a long time left in the round
26:14i mean he's showing so much heart and courage here but this is suiting rodriguez you just feel
26:21at any moment he's going to find that shot the legs still look unsteady body shot body shot from
26:27rodriguez ben whittaker's got his head in his hands at ringside the silver medalist from tokyo
26:34trying to cheer on the gold medalist and it is worrying moments for team yafai but he is getting
26:41through it some better work there back from galau i don't think he really recovered from the end of
26:46that last round heads again coming close
26:51it's none stop the flurries from rodriguez
26:59and that can be the issue you get comfortable and slightly complacent you feel you can take the
27:06the opponent's best shots you switch off and you you walk onto one but he's doing well here yafai
27:12into the 30 second marker for the seventh round
27:17that can is terrible from rodriguez and yafai is learning so much about himself tonight
27:25he's really showing the depth here a lot of fighters don't have this level of character that when they're
27:32really up against it to keep digging their heels down to recover keep fighting back and the galau
27:37yafai showing an absolute abundance here but another shot lands rodriguez both brothers on their feet
27:44willing their man home their sibling and he does get back to his stall a huge round for francisco rodriguez
27:54again the backhand there rocked his legs and then as he was trying to smother the work there was just too much pressure it was a bit of a push maybe by the end but his feet weren't really up underneath him and you can see definitely why it was scored but
27:59getting hurt again there but what toughness what resilience what gumption did glau yafai show and that was a bit of a push maybe by the end but his feet weren't really up underneath him and you can see definitely why it was scored but getting hurt again there but what toughness what resilience what gumption did glau yafai show and that was a bit of a push
28:17a bit of a push maybe by the end but his feet weren't really up underneath him and you can see definitely why it was scored but getting hurt again there but what toughness what resilience what gumption did glau yafai show in that round there
28:29well we just seen the replays go through there's a couple of the corner men alongside
28:34there's dancing in the rodriguez camp they really really fancy this
28:39second out round eight
28:43yafai ready to go again well done the 32 year old for getting through that kz7
28:51now it's about responding coming back with your own work but being smart with it
28:58he needs to weather this storm this confidence there'll probably be a lot more energy for next round or two
29:03and then he needs rodriguez to slow down
29:07now rodriguez ahead on joe adam and shabazz's card three judges at ringside lovely left hand from francisco
29:16rodriguez and the effort here in his 48th fight coming to britain for the first time he wants this badly
29:24yeah the left hand is landing regularly now lands a nice right hook as well but back comes your fire
29:33solid one two again though from the mexican
29:36what a fight oh fantastic fight every single round from the first five seconds all the way till now
29:47has been nothing but actual nothing but action nothing but grit and i'm struggling not to react to every
29:55single shot that's getting from rodriguez again hand speed is good just seems to have that toughness
30:04and resilience but your five is a younger 32 year old he's no joke though rodriguez look at this work
30:13back comes your five with a combination and the crowd start to get behind him
30:21deep into the eighth round the championship rounds about to
30:28to come and your fight is doing well in there
30:31and how much energy has rodriguez been using these last few rounds he's been following with such mean
30:38intentions
30:41this this is hard this is hard on display here from your five fantastic stuff
30:48body shots are key at this stage
30:51again with a right hand rodriguez oh that uppercut yeah that's what they wanted from early in the fight
31:00and rodriguez finds it it's not all pretty from the mexican but it is brutally effective as your fight
31:07tries to come back with his own medicine a body shot again and i think that's the reason the uppercut's
31:13gliding through the middle because he's hurting with body shots he's trying to keep those elbows wired to
31:19protect from those bodies oh right hook again the legs unsteady once more from your fire how come
31:26there's not been a knockdown in this fight because galalia fight is a very very tough man from a tough
31:32family who spent their whole life fighting and no matter how hurtful some of these punches are
31:39there's no quit and he wants to be there and because rodriguez is mexican
31:57oh look at that that was lovely disguised with the right hand slotted right through the middle look at
32:05that fantastic shot set the trap called the bait followed it up that time with the right hand again
32:17there's been some really good work to the body look at that one right around the left elbow of your fire
32:25and you have to say sonny took that really well and i think the gap that rodriguez keeps exploiting
32:30because gal has such a tight upright static strong guard that as soon as he's just thrown into an
32:37opening whoever being upper but through the middle or the body shot galal's got too much tension in his arms
32:41and shoulders to route defensively
32:43and the eyes being looked at here doctor says it's okay they've done good work in that corner she's
33:04trying to get his legs back in front of us here sonny and they're gonna have a look at rodriguez as well
33:10yeah i think both cuts are really bad here i'd like to see galal dropping down with the body shot
33:15his backhand to the body such a great shot for him this is more serious
33:22the crowd want more action but the doctor's got to do his job here how bad is that cat
33:31he's been taken to the neutral corner and there's a tight we're back in
33:36meanwhile the rodriguez corner we've got our great translator who's saying they're sure they're
33:45going to stop him they still want that uppercut the canelo shot they're asking for yeah that's what
33:51we've seen the highlights there sonny yeah he's transferring his body weight and once he stays over
33:56his front foot a little bit long he just has such a short he has a short gap to to throw he just lets the
34:02little uppercut going because his feet are in the right place there's power behind it and he's been
34:06blinding galal
34:15a little scrappy the last few seconds of this ninth round
34:23with some of the hooks there and again more arm shots from both fighters here
34:28rodriguez who's gone through countless 10 and 12 rounders through his career galal
34:37has done 10 rounds on a couple of occasions but not more
34:41he throws that right to the body rodriguez he plants his feet and fully turns the hips into the shot
34:48yeah this though you're fired holding his feet mixing fire with fire part of a lion sonny
34:57absolutely both fighters choosing not to take a backward step this is superb stuff here in the ninth round
35:05as the two of them go toe to toe and it really is coming down to who's got the heart and the grit
35:13and the determination maybe that extra bit of fitness in the build up the desire it's all in there
35:21yeah and the chin and the power who can take the shots who can deliver that hurtful shot
35:27but where are we on the scorecards of a fight like this you would think galal's coming from behind with
35:31the start that rodriguez had oh another nice shot from rodriguez there
35:36any time that galal starts picking up a bit of success he seems to stamp it out quite quickly rodriguez
35:42he's got to be in front hasn't he the mexican
35:47yeah landing heavy shots good shot no
35:55got to be careful that's leaning really over the front foot bend your knees when you roll
35:58that was good from your fire classy moments in there still the boxing brain ticking away but
36:07he's just relentless rodriguez
36:13just opening your fire up it's that extra bit of venom of power of rodriguez who just won't leave
36:20your fire alone another big spell there from rodriguez and you're playing trouble at the end of the
36:26round he holds on and these are really really hard moments for the birmingham 32 year old big round for
36:36rodriguez let's get over to jamie how the boy's seeing it yep round nine in the books let's get the
36:45thoughts of the guest judges joe how are you seeing it what a fight by the way it's entertaining isn't it
36:50um i've got yeah five behind by about four i've got a six three to the mexican and i think he just
37:00landed more shots really i think yeah he needs to focus on his defense more and um yeah what about
37:06for you adam as well how crucial are these next three rounds going to be for galalia he's gonna
37:10i thought my way of saying it he's gonna have to uh come with a stoppage i've got him uh i've got him
37:17seven two down and uh they're very important rounds now what heart galalia fire showed in this ring
37:23tonight you're about to assume yeah he's showing massive heart and uh the thing is he's got championship
37:28championship experience so he could come on strong but he needs to come on very very strong in a big
37:32finish okay here we go three rounds to go yep worrying times for the birmingham fans here behind
37:40galalia fiber he's learning an extraordinary amount in this acid test wbc interim flyweight belt on the
37:49line it's really the fight before the fight and the winner gets a shot at the world title former
37:56minimum weight strawweight champion francisco rodriguez surely in front as the boys were saying
38:04on the card and he's got the experience darren and sunny at this stage of the fight too yeah and bundles
38:11of it and you just worry if the the case is that galal your fires is down and look at that landed
38:18shots in that he's hard he's hurt again another moment for rodriguez to pass here and could he finish
38:27galalia five he's coming in with heavier shots now he's picking his moments rodriguez and he knows the
38:34target's a lot more easier to hit at this stage of the fight he's walking through the shots of your fire
38:41rodriguez he looks the man in there the experience to seize the galalia fire almost comes out on top of us
38:49through the ropes he must be absolutely exhausted terrific grip from your fire but rodriguez at the
38:56moment just proving too much yeah well on top he really is worrying signs for your fire the legs look
39:02unsteady he's got to keep his shape here do not trade with rodriguez i don't think he's got a choice at
39:10this point darren i think he's behind on the cards i think he knows it the stall was set early maybe he's
39:18boxed the wrong sort of fight we'd love to see a rematch but this is at the moment francisco rodriguez
39:24is night he needs a moment galal he needs something to land he needs it to stick and he needs it now
39:30it almost feels like he's running out of time maybe running out of energy a little bit and
39:34the resistance from the punches such a tough fight at glower and he's taken some real heavy shots
39:40and taken them well but you can't keep compiling those punishing shots
39:45both of them will need such a long rest after this not just the cuts and the damage and the doctor
39:54was again in the rodriguez corner so that could even play a part later on the catch but very wild
40:01here from rodriguez goes left goes right goes left and right look at your fight trying to stick with him
40:08but rodriguez all that experience and the power
40:17he just won't be to deny tonight francisco rodriguez he won't your fire really start to unravel here
40:26a lot of unanswered shots some concerned faces in the corner of your fire
40:38that look at the end of the round from rodriguez they breed them so tough in mexico it is extraordinary
40:46he can do this nearly 50 bites into a pro career that started at 17. you can see what rodriguez is
40:56looking to do hold his feet left right if he can go again he's going again if galal is still in front of
41:02which has been so often he's throwing again and he's using every bit of experience to keep his weight
41:10transferred to keep his chin tucked in between each exchange some very very dangerous work there from
41:17rodriguez and galal showing tremendous heart but it is getting to the point i don't know where i would
41:23have been completely shot one more big shot two more big shots land and we start looking about stopping
41:29this here japan and mexico the two countries really dominating this flyweight division francisco rodriguez
41:39before this ranked nine in the ring ratings and you're five four and that will switch around
41:47if rodriguez well puts a stamp on these last six minutes he's got to be way ahead on the judges
41:55cards you feel for your fight he's an unknown territory now sonny into the 11th round he's never been here
42:03before and he looks almost spent this could be adam another big left hook from rodriguez again staggering
42:11the legs they look unsteady still adam trying so hard your fiber walks into shots
42:23is he just going to go for broke here your fight has he got enough power sunny energy at this stage
42:30i feel like he's got enough weight behind his punches to hurt you and start building but usually he has to
42:35build with it he doesn't just hit you and and knock you out or hurt you as much as rodriguez is doing
42:41and because they've spent so much time in the middle of a phone box it's just more time the
42:46exchange is a favor in rodriguez and he's beating him to the punch a lot of the time as well adam yep
42:52these right hands bouncing off your fire who's done very well to get through that first the seventh
42:58where he nearly went early
43:03terrific preparation and conditioning upper cut again from rodriguez just been a bit smarter in different
43:11departments as a professional yeah and he's been unpredictable with the work there's been lots
43:17of variation with the work of the mexican you know he's landed lots of uppercuts but he's not got
43:23carried away with that shot he's varied the right hand the work to the body very impressive as well
43:29sonny what's eddie going to be thinking over there right now i hope i've got options on australia rodriguez
43:35to be honest right now but for me i would like to see if i just look for the body like a lot of time
43:42with these mexico fighters you can hit them clean all night to the head it's usually the body that
43:47gets these south americans fighters but i just think he's neglected it at stages throughout this fight
43:52alone where constantly rodriguez is going up and down down and up up and down and making it hard for him to
43:58even keep up with the shot yeah it's been impressive work to the body from rodriguez
44:06throws that right hand upstairs as you said signing the drop really turned the hip into those shots
44:15it really has been non-stop since the opening battle it's flown by this 12 round encounter not done yet
44:24if i still there can he find something fabio wardley did when he was a way behind in ipswich rodriguez
44:33right hands here but it's your fight again who looks stunned as rodriguez uses that experience to attack
44:40late and he's right up for this that eye is terrible in the glow ya fire corner full of blood there some real
44:49real clean shots at the end of the round for rodriguez landing there and you can see galal
44:55doesn't try and defensively react he takes this shot and he's thinking about throwing but he's just
44:59getting him into trouble too consistently throughout every round of the fight darren yeah one-way traffic
45:05it really is look at the variation really turning into that shot again credit to your fire we've said it
45:11time and time again and yeah just won't go away at that car
45:21and then he'll give you an opening but just don't see him front of him so he can hit your back
45:24final round of what's been a war from start to finish a bloodbath both cut your fire hurt on occasions
45:43the resistance he just couldn't keep going robert crockett's got the towel in his hand as well
46:00i wonder if they're thinking your fight could be taken out here rodriguez just has gathered steam again
46:08body shot and your fight is absolutely shattered he's looking on closely here rod mccracken he hasn't
46:15let go of that towel down on the cards under pressure here in this 12th round again staggers back does
46:24your fire here comes rodriguez to put the finishing touches on what's been a brilliant away performance
46:32your fight's been so brave so gutsy but rodriguez has been absolutely brilliant tonight
46:45big shots here you fight trying to cling on rope sort of helping him he's desperate to get to the end
46:50of this he really is grabbing hold doing everything he can to survive
46:55his work again relentless from rodriguez somehow it's like rodriguez still has
47:05finding another gear all the way through every time he needs it he bursts again
47:10what are they feeding for breakfast this morning rodriguez and what have they been doing through a
47:15grueling camp because he has been in tip top shape throughout this and he's given galalia five so many
47:24problems in there but your five has learned he must have done the education in this fight 72
47:31yeah those no boxing no life gloves might have a slight clue we could look at them but that's for
47:35another conversation i think the energy the output the the power the amount of shots rodriguez is thrown
47:43at this age at this stage of his career has been unbelievable tonight i wasn't expecting as much
47:49velocity and as much volume from the mexican as this and still he throws into the last 40 seconds
47:58galalia five wobbling around trying to keep composure and digging very very deep here you fight you're
48:06wanting to hear the final bell he deserves to he's put so much into it but francisco rodriguez well he's put in
48:15a sparkling performance in fight number 48 and he deserves a world title shot one hundred percent
48:23he's shown heart desire power experience he's put it all in the ring this evening but massive hats off
48:32to galalia five oh a gripping 12 round affair in the flyweight division arrives francisco rodriguez
48:41you've come you've conquered and what a warrior's mentality he was absolutely terrific he'll have to
48:50wait officially on the cards but that was a brilliant performance and he's got his family here francisco
48:57rodriguez and they could start the celebrations he got through the bad cut galalia five deserves a huge amount
49:05of credit and praise for standing with him for 12 rounds but unfortunately it was a terrific amateur
49:13against a terrific pro tonight yeah spot on there he got it right rodriguez the the energy throughout that
49:20contest was was on point as you say huge props to galalia five but rodriguez you can see what it means to
49:27there you go look at that cut awful but he was relentless to power
49:34very good and see the knockdown in that final round oh the right hook and then again with the left hook
49:41and look at that straight to his feet your fire heart of a lion the second best here this evening sunning
49:47yeah and got it to be honest galal has been a rival of mine a friend of mine a sparring partner a training
49:55partner for a long time and the last few rounds was getting really really hard to watch and rodriguez
50:01was punishing but how tough how much heart did he show that even on the receiving end of probably about
50:08seven eight nine hundred punches in that fight it was going up really quick those punch stats galal still
50:15took there and took every lick he fired back the whole way through yeah very disappointed got it
50:22for him to be honest i i'm almost a bit gobsmacked to be honest i totally understand that sunny you've
50:29shared so many rounds with galal both inspiring obviously in the ring too and he was so courageous
50:37tonight but this man francisco rodriguez he was absolutely spectacular four weeks to go till the big
50:48one undisputed heavyweight world championship the rematch olexander usick pound for pound king daniel
50:58dubois in the form of his life wembley stadium live only on the zone july the 19th plenty of action
51:08between now and then meanwhile as we wait for the official verdict let's see how our three young fighters have it
51:16by seven by seven by nine and by nine 109 adamaka shabu yeah joe gave 110 by seven that's about right
51:29mine's about seven or eight i think as well wide on the cards the knockdown didn't help your five scores
51:34either francisco rodriguez is victorious and galal yafai will taste defeat for the first time
51:42let's hear officially from david what a fight
51:52ladies and gentlemen after 12 rounds of action here in birmingham we go to the judges score totals
51:57they read as follows kevin parker david biloxerkovic both squirted out 119 108 chris telez 118 109
52:06all three for your winner by unanimous decision and the new interim wbc flyweight champion of the world
52:16francisco
52:24it's another upset live on the zone incredible action over the last few weeks francisco
52:31rodriguez rodriguez in his first fight in britain his 48th in total was extraordinary from start to
52:40finish credit to galalia five for the part he played in it but guys hats off to the mexican tonight yep
52:50got it right didn't he boxed brilliantly relentless showed power a fantastic engine so did your fire
52:58finish so strong didn't you you can see what it means to him and the new wbc interim champion for the
53:08former world's draw weight holder francisco rodriguez look at what it means to him wonderful scenes
53:17you can hear the mexican support around us
53:26connor walker made the birmingham fans happy an hour ago but now it's all about viva mexico
53:35yeah big win big statement from this man here what a career he's had and what a win that is against the last
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