Kriel-Salva planned for August 23rd in Manila

Kriel stands to make less than $17,000

Earlier today, Manny Pacquiao Promotions won an absolutely putrid purse bid to stage a bout between their fighter, IBF #1 minimumweight contender Sammy Salva, and champion DeeJay Kriel. MP Promotions intends to stage the bout August 24th in Manila.

The winning bid? $25,000, split 65-25 between Kriel (15-1-1, 7 KO) and Salva (17-0, 10 KO). That is, as ESPN helpfully tabulates, $16,250 for the champion and $8,750 for the challenger.

I honestly would not be surprised to see Kriel vacate; a nearly identical situation happened with another IBF champ in Hekkie Budler last year, and Kriel is set to make even less than Budler would have. Admittedly, Budler had another belt to fall back on, but less than $17k for a world title fight is wretched.

Then again, opportunities in the minimumweight division are far sparser than at light flyweight. Wanheng Menayothin and Knockout CP Freshmart have two belts on lockdown in their native Thailand, and as Salva is also the WBO #1, challenging Vic Saludar for his belt could potentially leave Kriel in the same situation.

Get these men some proper compensation.