Galal Yafai vs. Francisco Rodriguez Jr: Preview & Betting Tips

While Yafai remains unbeaten and is known for his relentless southpaw pressure and sharp punch variety that he’s carried over from his amateur days, Rodriguez Jr brings grit, durability, and ring savvy forged across 46 professional bouts, so he’ll look to lean on this experience and try every veteran trick in the book to gain advantage against the much fresher Yafai.

After dominating a faded Sunny Edwards, the big question is whether or not the Birmingham man can replicate that intensity against someone more durable and aggressive. His shot selection, work rate, and conditioning will be key if this goes into the later rounds.

Fighting in Birmingham, Yafai will have the crowd behind him, and that energy could play a role if the bout goes to the cards. But, how many times have we seen Mexican fighters crush a British fighter’s dreams over the last couple of decades, and that could certainly happen here.

Yafai vs Rodriguez Jr: Prediction & Betting Tips

This is a real litmus test for Yafai. Rodriguez Jr has never been an easy night for anyone, and he’s still capable of dragging a fight into deep waters. But Yafai’s freshness, sharp southpaw angles, and body work should gradually slow down the Mexican. 

Expect some awkward moments early, but as Yafai settles, his class will show through on the scorecards.

The Mexican has lost just once via stoppage in his illustrious career, and that came 12 years ago against one of the greatest lower weight fighters of all time, “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, so it is a big ask for Yafai to stop the away fighter. This is why Galal Yafai via decision or technical decision at odds of 1.80 (Bet 365) looks the best play here.