KEY POINTS

  • Janet Todd will face Lara Fernandez for the ONE interim Muay Thai title
  • Former foes Stamp Fairtex and Alma Junika are in favor of Todd
  • Todd can join an exclusive club of fighters to win two titles in two different sports

ONE Championship is set to crown an interim atomweight Muay Thai champion when promotional newcomer Lara Fernandez takes on Janet Todd in the co-main event of ONE 159 this Friday, July 22.

Todd already has the atomweight kickboxing title, and winning its Muay Thai equivalent is only going to make her already impressive resume that much better.

The organization’s first two-sport champion and Todd's rival Stamp Fairtex is confident that the California native can join her in ONE Championship’s history books.

“The first time I fought with her she still couldn’t read the game. Her style was obviously pressing forward, sharp and accurate. But in the second fight, I found that her game had much improved,” Stamp glowingly said of Todd in a recent interview.

“She was [smart] and had a good fight intelligence. She always thinks before throwing every single shot. Janet is also strong. She has built her muscles so well. She has brains and wit. She knows all the principles and what to do.”

However, Stamp was also cautiously optimistic of Fernandez’s chances since “anything can happen” in a fight.

Todd went toe-to-toe with Stamp for a total of 10 rounds, with the latter taking their first matchup and the former finally dethroning the Thai for the atomweight kickboxing title.

It was a hard-hitting affair where both women were unwilling to give way to one another and showcased their entire arsenal for both fights.

Alma Juniku, another of Todd’s former opponents, is in the same boat as Stamp when it comes to assessing “JT.”

However, she was also quick to decry those who would count out Fernandez as early as now.

“I’ve watched some highlights from Lara and she’s fast-paced. She pushes the pace and she looks very fit and strong. I reckon that she will be one of the up-and-comers that you will want to look out for,” she stated in the same interview.

“Lara [Fernandez] may have a chance with how she pushes forward and, if she keeps her guard up, she’ll do very well.”

Should Todd win the interim title in her bout with Fernandez, she will join Thai icons Sam-A Gaiyanghadao and Stamp as the only members of the two-sport champions club within ONE Championship.