Birmingham boxer aims to take another step towards world crown.
Undefeated Birmingham flyweight Galal Yafai will be taking on Francisco Rodriguez for the interim WBC world title at BP Pulse LIVE on Jume 21st – with the bout being shown worldwide on DAZN.
Yafai (9-0, 7 KOs) looked sensational as he stopped former IBF Flyweight king Sunny Edwards in six punishing rounds at BP Pulse LIVE in November, and the Olympic Champion puts his WBC interim title on the line for the first time against Mexico’s Rodriguez (39-6-1, 27 KOs). A shot at Japan’s unified WBC and WBA world champion Kenshiro Tereji lies in store for the winner.
Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker (15-3-1, 6 KOs) makes the maiden defence of his British welterweight title against Middleton’s mandatory challenger, the experienced Liam Taylor (28-2-1, 14 KOs). Liverpool super-bantam Peter McGrail (11-1, 6 KOs) will also be facing the experienced Romanian Ionut Baluta over ten rounds. The 29 year old Liverpudlian outpointed Rhys Edwards in his last contest on the huge Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 card in Riyadh and should have been fighting Shabaz Masoud for the Stoke man’s IBO world belt had injury to the champion not intervened.
Also on the bill Olympian turned cruiserweight prospect Pat Brown (1-0, 1 KO) looks to build on his action-packed professional debut in Altrincham last month, Birmingham super-featherweight Ibraheem Sulaimaan (7-0, 4 KOs) returns, heavy-handed Coventry middleweight Aaron Bowen (5-0, 3 KOs) fights for the second time in 2025 and Walsall flyweight Hamza Uddin (4-0, 1 KO) continues his rise.
“I’m excited to be fighting back in my home city of Birmingham, I can’t wait to put on a show against a top fighter,” said Yafai. “I’m looking forward to getting through this one and fighting for the world title.”
“I have been waiting for this opportunity for two years to fight for the WBC 112 pound belt,” said Rodriguez. “I have been world champion at 105 pounds and 108 pounds. Galal Yafai has never been in the ring with a fighter like me, real Mexican style! Come June 21st, the WBC belt is mine and will be going back to wear it belongs – Viva Mexico!”
“It’s a huge night of boxing at BP Pulse Live as Birmingham’s own Galal Yafai takes another step to world title glory when he puts his WBC interim title on the line against Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez,” said Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn. “Fan favourite Conah Walker defends his British title against Liam Taylor and all-action cruiserweight Pat Brown features on a stacked undercard alongside plenty of local talent. Watch it live and exclusive on DAZN.”
