ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion Janet Todd knows there will always be hungry contenders who want her attention, but the reigning queen refuses to be distracted.
The most prominent callout has come from French superstar Anissa Meksen, who joined ONE Championship last year and earned the #4 spot in the divisional rankings with a knockout win over Cristina Morales in September.
Meksen, one of the greatest pound-for-pound strikers on the planet, made her intentions known in November, stating that Todd should put the gold on the line or move out of the way.
She wrote on Instagram:
“I’m ready to fight ! Kickboxing or muaythai doesn’t matter ! 👊🏽
if Janet Todd @jmcoakle still scared and still not available I’m ready to face anybody ! 💯
All my life is dedicated to fight, just let me do what I was born for ! 💪🏽”
Despite those public comments, Todd doesn’t plan to take the bait and engage in a back-and-forth with “C18.”
The American insists that’s not her style and adds that a war of words would only sap enjoyment from the spirit of competition.
“JT” said:
“I don’t think [Meksen] has her facts straight. I mean, she can believe whatever she wants, but I’ve always taken the fights that were offered to me. I got nothing else to say. I’ve never been into all the drama. I feel like it takes away from the love of the sport. I just kind of keep my distance away from it. I understand why people like the drama, because it kind of builds fights, but I’ve never been into it.”
Janet Todd Focused On Herself, Not Anissa Meksen
Anissa Meksen opened up the floor for Janet Todd to respond, but the ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion is reluctant to dig herself any deeper into a feud with the French star.
She’s realized the gold around her waist is impossible to ignore, and she also knows there are plenty of athletes on the ONE roster who would love their chance to challenge for it.
Todd said:
“When you’re a World Champion, there’s going to be a target on your back. There’s going to be people calling you out, that’s just part of the game. So you either let that affect you emotionally, or you just kind of distance yourself from it and focus on what you do best. So, like I said, I think it takes away from the love of my sport. I’d rather just focus my energy on what I love to do.”
After taking the belt from Stamp Fairtex in 2020, Todd stated that she would be eager to face Meksen if the opportunity presented itself.
She would still relish the chance to prove herself against the best strikers in the world, but she adds that it’s not her job to choose the matchups.
“JT” stated:
“ONE Championship finds the best fighters in the world, including [Meksen]. When I call myself a World Champion, I want to be able to challenge myself against the top in the world. I think she’s another good addition to our weight class. I’ll let the ONE Championship matchmakers figure [out if it’s the next fight to make]. I’m just here to fight. If there’s a contract, I’ll sign it and I’ll fight. And if we do fight, it’s going to be a good fight.” (One Championship)
(Photo credits to: One Championship)