During a whirlwind six-month period in 2024, Bakhram Murtazaliev won and defended the IBF junior middleweight world title with a pair of stoppage victories on away soil.

Jack Culcay (33-5, 14 KOs) announced his retirement in September as he transitions to coaching life, while former WBO world titleholder Tim Tszyu (25-2, 18 KOs) was eerily dismantled in ways that provide intrigue having already begun an ambitious rebuild that continues July 19 with a Sebastian Fundora rematch for WBC world honours.

Meanwhile Murtazaliev, who called out Fundora after his fourth-round finish of overmatched challenger Chordale Booker on March 22, still awaits a fight date. Last week, the IBF began their 30-day negotiation period for a mandatory title defence between the unbeaten Russian and No. 1 contender Erickson Lubin (27-2, 19 KOs) before purse bids are called. 

Lubin has won three straight since a stoppage defeat in his Fundora firefight three years ago, most recently halting previously-unbeaten contender Ardeal Holmes Jr with an 11th-round stoppage win during their May 10 headliner.

When asked about a return timeline for the champion given the ever-changing divisional landscape, his manager Egis Klimas didn't give much away. 

"It's hard to say and I don't like predicting fights, whether it be Fundora and Tszyu, Zayas, but we're in talks so hopefully he'll be back in mid-summertime, July or August," he told The Ring. 

Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Garcia Perez is expected July 26 in New York for the now-vacant WBO title, after the sanctioning body stripped Fundora after failing to notify them of his plans elsewhere rather than make a mandated defence against Zayas.

Alex Krassyuk, known most notably as unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk's longtime promoter, has a stable of fighters too. He acknowledges the difficulty in bridging the gap while keeping contenders - as well as world champions - busy with meaningful activity when financial rewards aren't very high.

"You have to get the source to finance it. If you don't have a TV deal, that's not good, and it's worse if there's no sponsors or tickets aren't really being sold. We have so many good fighters, but that doesn't mean you earn a lot or become a star... only real stars earn real money.

"Bakhram and Janibek can both unify, they're undoubtedly one of the best in their respective divisions, but aren't well-recognised so it's up to their promoter to build their profiles, even now."

Janibek has been pictured in meetings with Gennadiy Golovkin and the President of the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation Shahmurat Mutalip recently, while savouring a violent fifth-round stoppage win over previously-unbeaten challenger Anauel Ngamissengue last month.

After a fourth consecutive knockout victory he has again reiterated a desire to become undisputed at 160-pounds and judging by recent comments from WBC champion Carlos Adames (24-1-1, 18 KOs), the Dominican's unwillingness to face WBA titleholder Erislandy Lara out of respect could well accelerate talks for a three-belt unification later this year.

First though, he must emerge unscathed beyond Janibek's compatriot in mandatory challenger Meiirim Nursultanov (20-0, 11 KOs), with positive negotiations meaning it's likely the two teams will agree a summertime bout housed on a PBC event to be announced.

Janibek has been more active than Murtazaliev against middling opposition, while Nursultanov himself hasn't featured since November 2023. The wait for clarity, for all considered, continues. Former WBO lightweight titlist Denys Berinchyk (19-1, 9 KOs) is another suffering from inactivity, boxing once yearly since a two-fight stint in 2021.

Krassyuk told The Ring that Denys recently underwent successful shoulder surgery, though may take six months' recovery time.

"He has some powder in his cellar to explode, I think he'll come back again," were his words, though it begs the question: what more does he have left to give, aged 37, much like the fast-ticking timer hanging over IBF world champion and agemate Vasiliy Lomachenko?