DeeJay Kriel vacates IBF title, moving up in weight

South Africa’s DeeJay Kriel is vacating the IBF 105-pound title, ESPN reports, with Kriel (15-1-1, 7 KO) saying he can no longer make weight, and will move up to 108 pounds.

Kriel, 24, won the belt on Feb. 16 by beating Carlos Licona in Los Angeles and talked about unification, but was ordered to make a mandatory defense against Sammy Salva. A purse bid was won by Manny Pacquiao’s promotional company for just $25,000, which meant Kriel was set to make under $17,000 for a first title defense, and he would have been on the road in Manila in August.

Salva (17-0, 10 KO) will still get to fight for the now-vacant belt, with the IBF set to order him to face Pedro Taduran (13-2, 10 KO), a fellow Filipino. Taduran had a WBC title shot last August against Wanheng Menayothin, losing a decision in Thailand. He last fought on Dec. 8, beating Jeffrey Galero via second round TKO. Salva was last out on March 23, winning a decision over Rene Mark Cuarto.