By Rick Reeno
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer has confirmed to BoxingScene.com that WBA light heavyweight champion Beibut Shumenov (13-1, 8KOs) will make his return on the December 14th "Danger Zone" Showtime pay-per-view at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The card will be topped by a welterweight battle between WBA champion Adrien Broner and top contender Marcos Maidana.
"We are going to have a free view, which is going to be available on all of the platforms, including Showtime and everywhere - with Shumenov. Millions of people are going to watch that free view, which is going to lead right into the pay-per-view, Schaefer told BoxingScene.com.
Shumenov will likely face undefeated Tamas Kovacs (23-0, 14KOs). A contract has been sent to Kovacs, but has not been returned as of yet.
Schaefer looks forward to a long working relationship with Shumenov.
"He will be with Golden Boy. I'm not going to say what the agreement is, but we are going to be working together. He is a very talented and exciting guy who comes forward. He is a world champion and we are honored to be working with him," Schaefer said.
Should Shumenov win in December, and IBF champion Bernard Hopkins defeats mandatory challenger Karo Murat on October 26th at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City - it could set up the opportunity for Golden Boy to stage a unification at some point in 2014.