By Richard Cloutier
 
Promoter Yvon Michel informed BoxingScene.com that Jean Pascal's HBO televised return, scheduled for December 10 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, is close to being finalized. There are ongoing discussions to finalize an opponent, but it won't be current IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud. The champion's promoter, Don King, continues to demand future options on Pascal in order to make the fight.  

"We had very good discussions this weekend and we should be able to announce Jean's opponent very soon. There are still a few things that we need to adjust, but we are very confident of reaching an agreement in the coming days," Michel said.

Reportedly, WBA champion Beibut Shumenov and unbeaten Zsolt Erdei are two of the fighters being considered for Pascal.