The original plan is back in place as it relates to the WBC’s flyweight title.
BoxingScene has confirmed that the Mexico City-headquartered sanctioning body has once again ordered a title consolidation bout between Ricardo Sandoval and Galal Yafai. The bout was originally ordered in August but rescinded upon the subsequent ruling that both boxers would be afforded separate voluntary defenses.
A ruling on Tuesday trumped that decision as both are now back in each other’s sights. Worse, it all but puts to an end current talks between Sandoval, 27-2 (18 KOs) - the unified WBC “full” and WBA 112lbs titlist – and WBO titlist Anthony Olascuaga, 11-1 (8 KOs). Had the two sides reached terms, the bout would have headlined a March 15 show in Yokohama, Japan.
Instead, Sandoval is back on the hook to face England’s Yafai, the WBC interim flyweight titleholder.
California’s Sandoval traveled abroad to upend two-division champ Kenshiro Teraji last July 30 in Yokohama, Japan. He earned the WBA and WBC titles with the big road win but spent the rest of the year out of the ring due to general maintenance while eyeing his first assignment of 2026.
Sandoval fights for Golden Boy Promotions, whose Hall of Fame chairman and co-founder Oscar De La Hoya seemed confident of his client next pursuing a third title.
BoxingScene has learned while talks were ongoing, how productive they were depended on the viewpoint. The foundation was certainly laid for a future showdown, though it remains doubtful there is enough time to get this one over the line. The event is at a point where it is crucial to officially announce, to get tickets on sale and everything else in motion.
Yafai’s predicament is considerably different, though it is the ultimate justice that he is back at the front of the line to fight for the title.
The 2020 Olympic gold medalist for Great Britain claimed the secondary version of the WBC interim flyweight title in a rousing 6th round stoppage of former IBF titlist Sunny Edwards. Their November 2024 crossroads clash took place at bp pulse LIVE Arena in Yafai’s hometown of Birmingham, and served as a breakout moment.
It all threatened to crash following a lopsided points loss to Francisco “Chihuas” Rodriguez last June 21. Yafai suffered a knockdown and absorbed a career-altering beating at the hands of the visiting Mexican.
However, the fight remains clouded in controversy. Rodriguez tested positive for the banned substance heptaminol, a matter which remains under investigation. Because of the slow-moving process on the UK side of drug testing, Yafai is stuck with the loss on his record.
The saving grace for Yafai came when the WBC invalidated the result and restored his interim title status.
With Tuesday’s ruling, Golden Boy and Matchroom Boxing are now forced to sit at the negotiating table and work out a deal. Absent that – or yet another reversal by the WBC – the matter will then head to a purse bid hearing.
