At this point the opponent isn't that important, but the concept of actually fighting and not just sparring is what MJ has to do. To repeat what I wrote earlier, since beginning of 2022 MJ fought a total of 3 times going 2-1 and that is his age 27-29 years as a champion, not some late 30s vet with no belt. In that same time span age 29-31 Inoue went 6-0 and got undisputed in 118, 122, and did two defenses as undisputed and is on pace for third.
Inoue fought Tapales last December, and MJ fought Gonzalez last December. Inoue fighting Nery in May was all but known well before the official announcement. Even if MJ was aiming for the match afterwards, he could've set up a stay busy around April/May. After Doheny got official, he could've set up a stay busy in the same month (given that he would've happily fought Inoue in September Wembley, can't say he didn't have enough time to prep). My guess is that MJ/Eddie will whine once Goodman gets finalized on December, then after they fight in April next year and he loses, the excuse would be that he was rusty (to the fault of his choices) or some delusion like that.
Inoue fought Tapales last December, and MJ fought Gonzalez last December. Inoue fighting Nery in May was all but known well before the official announcement. Even if MJ was aiming for the match afterwards, he could've set up a stay busy around April/May. After Doheny got official, he could've set up a stay busy in the same month (given that he would've happily fought Inoue in September Wembley, can't say he didn't have enough time to prep). My guess is that MJ/Eddie will whine once Goodman gets finalized on December, then after they fight in April next year and he loses, the excuse would be that he was rusty (to the fault of his choices) or some delusion like that.
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