Janet Todd has had a tremendous career, but the ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion will ride off into the sunset on Friday, March 8, at ONE Fight Night 20.
The decorated striker will close her career in a main event ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Championship unification match against “The Queen” Phetjeeja on Prime Video.
Although it may be easy to be distracted by the looming retirement, Todd is crystal clear that she is putting those emotions away until the final bell sounds.
“All I’m focused on is the fight. So, to me, it’s very easy to compartmentalize because I’m not thinking about retirement. The focus is the fight first and foremost and being able to display my skills there,” Todd told ONE.
“I want to end my career at the top. Be the first woman in our atomweight division to defend the World Title successfully and show age is nothing but a number.”
In 2023, ONE Championship arrived in the United States. It has been announced that they will return in 2024 for two events in the fall. Those big domestic events may be enticing to compete on after years traveling abroad.
However, fans should not expect Todd to come out of retirement. When she removes the gloves in Bangkok, it will be for the last time.
“I’ve made my decision. And when I make my decision, I stick to it,” Todd stated flatly.
“ONE Championship has given me such a great opportunity to achieve something that I never thought I could achieve before. I’ve got to do so many things in such a short period of time and experience so much and meet so many lifelong friends, but I’m ready to move on to the next chapter after this fight.”
“The other aspect of what I want in my life is to start a family, and I’m getting older. I want that part of my life as well.”
What makes the retirement so unique is that it will be at the top of her game and against an elite opponent.
Phetjeeja exploded onto the global stage with knockouts in Muay Thai but then upended pound-for-pound queen Anissa Meksen to claim the interim kickboxing crown. Todd knows this will be an explosive encounter.
“She’s very heavy-handed, very boxing-oriented. So, I’m not surprised how well she did in the fight with Anissa. I think she had a really good game plan against her,” the atomweight titleholder said.
“She’s definitely well-rounded. I think her strengths are her boxing and her head movement, and she showcased that in every one of her ONE Championship fights.”
“Her weakness, without giving away too much of my game plan, is with the way she throws her punches. She kind of puts her weight behind it and leaves certain parts of herself exposed.”
With an exciting main event title tilt as her swan song, Todd is thrilled to showcase her skills one final time.
And she is not planning on passing the torch on her way out.
“Phetjeeja is aggressive, forward-moving, and I’ve dealt with fighters like that. It’s going to be action-packed because of it. It’s gonna be a good fight, and it’s not gonna be an easy fight. I’m ready for that forward pressure, and I’ve been working on different skills against it,” Todd said.
“I’m ready to just see what comes out and have fun – with my hand raised at the end and the belt over my shoulder.”
ONE Fight Night 20 airs live on Friday, March 8, on Prime Video. The action begins at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST.