Jean Pascal-Bernard Hopkins "looking good" for Dec. 18

Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions sounds confident when it comes to making a rumored fight between light heavyweight champ Jean Pascal, and 45-year-old former champ Bernard Hopkins.

"Actually, I had a very good conversation with Pascal's promoter, [Yvon Michel]. And, you know, I have to say that things are looking pretty good," said Schaefer. "We actually talked and we'll talk again. One date that was mentioned because of the availability in Candada was Dec. 18."

Word is that HBO would televise Pascal-Hopkins without PPV in the United States, which is good news since there are two PPVs coming right around that same time. HBO will have Pacquiao-Margarito on PPV on 11/13, and Top Rank is working to finalize Cotto-Chavez for PPV on 12/4. Plus, Pascal-Hopkins is not a PPV fight, but it's definitely worthy of major TV, and HBO is the place this fight belongs.

Pascal (26-1, 16 KO) and Hopkins (51-5-1, 32 KO) would make for a time-tested boxing matchup. The upstart, in-prime new champion taking on the old, faded ex-champion. Different paths to get there, different places in boxing. And even though he's old and looked worn against Roy Jones Jr. in that horrible fight earlier this year, it's tough to count out someone as cerebral and tough as Hopkins.

Of course, don't get too excited. Bernard has definitely talked his way out of fights that "looked good" before.

In the linked interview, Schaefer also has a lot to say about Marquez-Katsidis and Khan-Maidana.