Phetjeeja Thinks Victory Over Janet Todd Would Secure Her Status As ‘Best Pound-For-Pound Women’s Striker’
Fans who watched the ONE Friday Fights event series in 2023 were already well aware of what “The Queen” Phetjeeja was capable of, and the Thai phenom reached another level in her U.S. primetime debut last December.
That evening, the 22-year-old defeated legendary striker Anissa “C18” Meksen to win the ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Title, which booked her a unification matchup with reigning divisional queen Janet “JT” Todd at ONE Fight Night 20 on Prime Video.
The two stars will now duke it out in U.S. primetime this Friday, March 8, and Phetjeeja will enter with more confidence than ever following the biggest win of her career.
She reflected on the life-changing victory over Meksen at ONE Friday Fights 46:
“Anissa is one of the top contenders of this division. She had never lost to anyone in ONE before. It made me worry at first because she is a really good striker. Some people said I was no match for her. But when I managed to beat her, it made me feel like I could take another big step to a whole new level.
“It was my first kickboxing bout too, and I claimed the belt my first time. I’m happy and proud of myself that my hard work came to fruition.”
Given that Meksen is one of the most decorated women’s strikers in history, Phetjeeja knew that a victory would immediately put her name among the best of the best.
Now with a remarkable 207-6 career record and a chance to become the undisputed ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion, “The Queen” thinks an emphatic win over Todd would solidify her position at the very top.
She said:
“If I beat Anissa, my next fight had to be Janet. It’s happened so quickly, but when the opportunity arose, I had to quickly seize it.
“I will be able to call myself the best pound-for-pound women’s striker in the world after winning this fight.”
Phetjeeja Expects ’50-50′ Battle With Janet Todd
Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom knows she won’t have it easy when she takes on Janet Todd for the undisputed ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Title on March 8.
The young striker has done her homework and acknowledges that the 38-year-old American possesses a formidable arsenal.
Still, “The Queen” can identify some clear advantages for herself in this matchup:
“I can see she has a good jab and low kick. She can knock down anyone with her low kicks. And I can’t underestimate her high kick. She’s tall. She has a good Muay Thai stance.
“I still can’t find her weakness yet. But I think her guard is too wide. I’m a former boxer so I know that narrow guards will throw weapons faster.
“I think I’m better than her at boxing. I am improving my punches to be more powerful and accurate.”
Phetjeeja blitzed her way to four TKOs in ONE Friday Fights to earn her six-figure contract with the organization, but she doesn’t think that’s a likely scenario against an athlete of Todd’s caliber.
Indeed, the Californian has squared off against the division’s top names for years, posting a 7-2 ONE record with two decision defeats.
Given “JT’s” skills and resilience, Phetjeeja predicts that a lengthy war of attrition is most likely – although she’ll take any opportunity to end the fight early:
“Janet Todd must be really tough. I think this fight will go the distance. But it depends on what will happen in the ring. She is difficult to approach. She always throws her jab to prevent her opponent from getting too close.
“I need to have enough stamina to fight with her for five rounds. But maybe I will see an opportunity for a good shot during the fight. It’s hard to knock her out, but not impossible. And vice versa, she can knock me out too. It’s 50-50.”
