Janet Todd recalls botched first booking with Allycia Hellen Rodrigues

Interim ONE atomweight Muay Thai world champion Janet Todd was already set for her unification bout with reigning titleholder Allycia Hellen Rodrigues late last year until COVID-19 spoiled everything.

After capturing the interim belt in July 2022 with a unanimous decision victory over Spain’s Lara Fernandez, “JT” was already looking forward to the day that she would become the undisputed atomweight Muay Thai world champion.

She and Rodrigues were scheduled to do battle before the year ended but the coronavirus hit the American fighter in the lead-up, forcing the promotion to postpone the title fight to a later date.

In an interview with ONE Championship, Todd recalled what happened to her and how she dealt with the medical issues she had. She said:

“I remember bawling my eyes out. And I was just in shock. I didn't believe it. Because the last time I had COVID, I had the body pains fever, and I didn't have any of that. It was just like a stuffy nose, which I thought were allergies, because we were staying at a casino where there's cigarette smoke that I'm not used to.”

Now fully recovered, Todd is preparing for her rescheduled showdown with Rodrigues at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video on March 24 in Singapore. A win for her would make her a full-fledged two-sport world champion as she also holds the ONE atomweight kickboxing gold.

ONE Fight Night 8 will take place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and will be aired live and for free to all Prime Video subscribers in North America.

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WATCH: Janet Todd trades kicks with sparring partner Jackie Buntan

Interim ONE women's atomweight Muay Thai world champion Janet Todd is deep in training to better compete in her much-anticipated unification showdown with reigning world champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues later this month.

“JT” will take on returning champion Rodrigues in a marquee matchup at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video on March 24 in Singapore. The American fighter is aiming to become the undisputed atomweight Muay Thai champion in addition to being the kickboxing champ.

Todd is making sure she sharpens the different facets of her game with her team to see her goal through.

ONE Championship recently posted a video on Instagram showing “JT” trading kicks with teammate and fellow ONE fighter Jackie Buntan.

""Kick for kick 💥 ONE Interim Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Janet Todd faces off with divisional queen Allycia Hellen Rodrigues on March 24 to unify the belt at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video! 🏆 @jmcoakle"

Check out the video post below:

The American fighter became the interim world champion last July after defeating Spain’s Lara Fernandez by unanimous decision. Rodrigues, for her part, has had only one fight in the promotion to date, but it was a huge one as she beat former world champion Stamp Fairtex by a majority decision in August 2020 to become the division queen.

Rodrigues took some time off from the Circle after giving birth to her son but is now more than ready to defend her world title.