Galal Yafai v Francisco Rodriguez Jr: Tips & Predictions

Rob Tebbutt provides his best bets as British flyweight star Galal Yafai takes on Francisco Rodriguez Jr in Birmingham this weekend knowing victory will propel him to the periphery of a world title opportunity.

Rob Tebbutt's Tips

Galal Yafai - By Decision / Technical Decision

4/5

Galal Yafai v Francisco Rodriguez Jr Tips Preview

Galal Yafai meets Francisco Rodriguez Jr in Birmingham on Saturday night, as the pint-sized powerhouse closes in on a world title shot in the flyweight division.

Yafai (3/10) has raced to the WBC 'Interim' title in just nine professional fights, and is coming off a career-best, sixth-round TKO victory over former IBF champion Sunny Edwards in December.

A vicious southpaw with power in both hands, Yafai’s relentless style has quickly seen him become a must-watch fighter at 112lbs.

In the other corner, Rodriguez Jr (5/2) is about as battle-tested as they come.

He has competed in and around the highest level for over a decade and, despite six losses on his ledger, he has only been beaten by the very best in the world.

In fact, his only two losses in the best part of the last ten years came to Japanese legends Junto Nakatani and Kazuto Ioka, both by decision.

He has the typical aggression that you expect to see from a game Mexican and will look to go punch-for-punch with the Birmingham buzzsaw.

This is a fight that should catch fire from the first bell and it’s one that Yafai can’t afford to look past on his quest for world honours.

Galal Yafai v Francisco Rodriguez Jr Tale of the Tape

	Galal Yafai	Francisco Rodriguez Jr
Record:	9-0 (7 KOs)	39-6-1 (27 KOs)
Age:	32	32
Birthplace:	Birmingham, England	Monterrey, Mexico
Height:	5'4" / 163 cm	5'4" / 163 cm
Reach:	68" / 173 cm	65" / 165 cm
Stance:	Southpaw	Orthodox
Titles:	WBC 'Interim' flyweight	N/A
Last Fight:	Won (TKO) vs Sunny Edwards - Nov 24	NC (ND) vs Josue Morales - Dec 24
KO%:	77.78%	69.23%

Galal Yafai v Francisco Rodriguez Jr Top Tips

Galal Yafai - By Decision / Technical Decision @ 4/5

I expect Galal Yafai to win, but Francisco Rodriguez Jr will make him work extremely hard for it!

If Yafai can get the stoppage - something only the great Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez has managed in the past - then it would be some statement.

However, m feel the price of 4/5 for Yafai 'To Win By Decision/Technical Decision' represents both good value and the most likely outcome.