RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA -- It was an unforgettable week for manager Vadim Kornilov, overseeing redemption as Dmitry Bivol avenged his first career defeat by Artur Beterbiev to become the undisputed light-heavyweight king. Later this year, a super-bantamweight stablemate could join him in rarefied air if recent positive discussions are to be believed.

Last month, WBA interim world champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (13-1, 10 KOs) told The Ring of his frustration at being made to wait an extended period of time as undisputed titleholder Naoya Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) outlines the roadmap for future opponents.

He remained optimistic that Turki Alalshikh, head of Riyadh Season and chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, will be the man to broker a deal between them given his ability to do similar work across various weight divisions.

Having needed just three rounds to dismantle Mexico's Ricardo Espinoza Franco (30-5, 25 KOs) in Matchroom's Monte-Carlo main event on December 14, the 30-year-old ended a year-long layoff with aplomb.

His promoter, Eddie Hearn, then delivered a passionate post-fight speech ringside when asked about whether he could deliver an Inoue matchup for the Uzbek.

"We've delivered him the fight, it's been called twice by the WBA. They paid for an exception the first time to duck MJ, the second time was cast iron in writing, he had to fight him, they found a way to avoid again.

"Naoya is a pound-for-pound legend and we respect him, an unbelievable fighter but there's only one in the division who can even compete, let alone beat him and that's MJ - we will do it in Japan or wherever, he should've fought him for undisputed. Let the best fight the best, either vacate or fight."

Speaking to Kornilov during a busy Last Crescendo fight week in the Saudi capital, he gave an encouraging update when asked about next steps for The Ring's No. 2-ranked divisional contender.

"Everything is actually clearing up now, we're beginning to have positive conversations with Inoue's team, there are a lot of talks about him fighting in May and then September 14 in Japan," he told The Ring.

Inoue is a rare example of an active world champion and given his four-fight plan for 2025, it's unlikely Akhmadaliev would go into a career-best opportunity without an interim bout too.

The Japanese star, who returned with a fourth-round knockout over Ye Joon Kim on January 24 after IBF/WBO mandatory Sam Goodman twice withdrew through injury, is tentatively set for a Las Vegas return against Alan David Picasso in May.

Assuming he's victorious in his fourth consecutive undisputed title defence and emerges injury-free, a long-awaited showdown back surrounded by home comforts could come three months later with a Riyadh Season debut concluding a busy year in December.