So what about Showtime's boxing future once it merges with Paramount+?

Plus tons of random thoughts: hideous Beterbiev-Yarde undercard; what's with Fury-Usyk?; the right foe for AJ's return; Berlanga & Crawford free agency; I hope this isn't Bivol's next bout; MUCH MORE

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A whole slew of boxing random thoughts…

If you’re a boxing fan — and I assume you are if you’re reading this — it will be worth paying very close attention to what Paramount’s announcement this week will mean for boxing at Showtime now that it is merging the premium tier of its streaming service, Paramount+, with Showtime to create something called “Paramount+ with Showtime”.

For now everything appears to be business as usual at Showtime. The network has been rolling out one card after another in recent weeks and days and has multiple pay-per-view events either already announced (David Benavidez-Caleb Plant) or in the works (Gervonta Davis-Ryan Garcia, Errol Spence Jr.-Keith Thurman, Deontay Wilder-Andy Ruiz Jr.).

But I do strongly believe it is reasonable to have questions about the network’s boxing future.

According to numerous media reports, the rebranding later this year is going to mean layoffs at the company. Already, Showtime has canceled various series in relation to the forthcoming merger and rebranding.