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Ramon Dekkers
Ramon Dekkers (NED)cropped2.jpg
Born Ramon Dekkers
(1969-09-04)4 September 1969
Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands
Died 27 February 2013(2013-02-27) (aged 43)
Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands
Other names The Diamond
Turbine from Hell
Nationality Dutch
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight 70 kg (154 lb; 11 st 0 lb)
Division Featherweight
Super featherweight
Lightweight
Super lightweight
Welterweight
Super welterweight
Style Muay Thai,Kickboxing
Team Maeng Ho Gym
Team Dekkers
Golden Glory
Trainer Cor Hemmers
Years active 1986–2006
Kickboxing record
Total 224
Wins 186
By knockout 95
Losses 36
Draws 2
Mixed martial arts record
Total 1
Losses 1
By submission 1
last updated on: March 9, 2013

Ramon Dekkers (4 September 1969 – 27 February 2013) was a Dutch professional kickboxer and an eight-time Muay Thai world champion. Dekkers was a favourite with fight fans due to his fast-paced, aggressive fighting style. Dekkers was also renowned for his willingness to go abroad to fight the Thai champions in their own country.

Biography

Early years

Dekkers was born on 4 September 1969 in Breda, Netherlands. He began learning martial arts at age 12, studying judo for half a year. He then switched to boxing. After a couple of years Dekkers started practicing Muay Thai under Cor Hemmers. After finishing his baker education Dekkers joined Maeng Ho Breda Gym. During Dekkers' early days of training his mother was at the gym every day and eventually she and Hemmers fell in love and got married.

In the beginning of his career Dekkers' manager was Clovis Depretz, the manager of legendary Rob Kaman. This was the reason why Kaman was at ringside during many of Dekkers' matches, including his farewell fight. They often trained together and became good friends. Dekkers and Kaman were dubbed by fight fans in Thailand as "The Double Dutch duo".

In his first fight at 16 years of age, Dekkers won in a spectacular knockout against a well-established older boxer. Although, only weighing about 55 kg, his opponents found out sooner rather than later he was much stronger than he looked. As Dekkers kept on winning his matches by knockout, his reputation of an up-and-coming fighter spread in the Muay Thai community. He was awarded his first title at age 18, when he won the MTBN Dutch Championship on 15 November 1987. Dekkers defeated Kenneth Ramkisoen by knockout with a high kick. Previous to this fight the Dutchman had his first international contest against the reigning European champion, Richard Nam of France. Dekkers lost the fight on points. They would rematch each other a year later for the EMTA European Championship. This time Dekkers won the fight by knockout with a left hook, cross to body combination in the fourth round.

Rise to stardom

Dekkers challenged for the NKBB European Super featherweight Championship against Kevin Morris on 14 April 1988. He defeated his overmatched English opponent by unanimous decision. Over the next year the Dutchman would win a number of fights before defeating Mungkordum Sitchang for the IMTA World Lightweight title. Towards the end of 1988 he faced Gilbert Ballantine from the respected Chakuriki Gym in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Dekkers lost by decision after being outworked by Ballantine over five rounds. This match would spark the beginning of a fierce rivalry between the two men—they would fight two more times with both of them splitting wins.

On 18 February 1990, Dekkers truly moved onto the world stage. In Amsterdam, he faced the reigning Lumpinee champion Namphon Nongkeepahuyuth. He inflicted a rare defeat on Namphon after five rounds, taking the IMF World Light Welterweight title. The two fighters would meet again two months later in a rematch in Bangkok, Thailand. This time the Dutchman, who just had knocked out the number 1 ranked Lumpinee fighter Cherry S. Wanich in Amsterdam, was unable to defeat Namphon and lost a close decision. He returned to Thailand the same year to meet Issara Sakkreerin in a losing bid for Sakkreerin's Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight title.

The most notable rival of Dekkers was multiple Lumpinee champion and living legend Coban Lookchaomaesaitong. In their first encounter on 21 April 1991, Dekkers was knocked out with a left hook. This would be the first of four meetings between the men from 1991 to 1993, in what became one of the biggest rivalries in Muay Thai history. In the rematch, Dekkers won in highlight worthy fashion via devastating knockout. In the third outing of their rivalry, Dekkers was defeated by decision after five gruelling rounds, but he won the fourth and final fight, evening his score against Coban. The Coban vs. Dekkers fights have been rated as the best by any standards, by Muay Thai fans worldwide.

Dekkers ended 1991 with two wins by knockout over French champion Joel Cezar and a decision loss against Sakmongkol Sitthichok. Between 1992 and 1996, Dekkers would take part in a number of high-profile bouts, defeating fighters such as Joe Prestia, Rittichai Tor. Chalermchai, Mehmet Kaya and Hector Pena. He would also suffer a few defeats, losing his second fight against Joe Prestia as well as failing to defeat among others Jaroenthong Kiatbangchon, Dida Diafat, Orono Por Muang-Ubol and Den Muangsurin.

On November 16, 1996, Dekkers defeated Hassan Kassrioui via unanimous decision in Amsterdam, Netherlands to win the World Professional Kickboxing League (WPKL) World Super Welterweight Championship. By this point, despite the victory, injuries were taking their toll and his career was winding to a close. A month later, he faced Jomhod Kiatadisak in Bangkok, Thailand for the vacant WMTA World Super welterweight title. Dekkers lost the bout by decision. In a memorable match against Rayen Simson in Roosendaal, Netherlands in 1997 both fighters went to the canvas at the same time from a left hook. Dekkers injured his eye in the process and had to give up, losing the fight by technical knockout at the end of the second round. He would go back to winning ways by defeating Saengtiennoi Sor. Rungrot, avenging his two losses against the "Deadly Kisser".

Farewell fight

On 18 March 2001, Ramon Dekkers fought his farewell fight against Marino Deflorin in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The fight ended in the fourth round with Dekkers knocking a game Deflorin out with a left hook. After the fight, Dekkers joined his Golden Glory team members center stage for a finale, Rob Kaman came down the rampart, presenting a Golden Glory torch to Dekkers, who in turn passed it to each team member, as video clips of his victories were shown on the display screens.

Comeback

After his retirement Dekkers kept himself busy training his two teams, Team Dekkers and Golden Glory. In 2005, however, Dekkers surprised the fighting world by agreeing upon a contract with K-1. He was, however, to fight under MMA rules against Genki Sudo. Dekkers, who never had fought MMA and took the fight on a few days' notice, lost by heel hook.

However, his management arranged another regular K-1 rules fight. Dekkers fought American Duane Ludwig in a superfight during the K-1 Max 2005 event. A few days before the fight Dekkers injured himself, tearing a ligament in his right shoulder. The entire fight he could only punch with his left arm. Nevertheless, Dekkers knocked Ludwig down in every round, and won the fight by decision. His final retirement was a superfight against Joerie Mes at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Amsterdam event on 13 May 2006, this event was organised by Dutch organisation It's Showtime in collaboration with the Japanese K-1 organisation. After both fighters suffered a knockdown in the second round, it was Mes who earned the decision victory. Immediately after the fight Dekkers announced his final retirement.

Fame and glory in Thailand

Ramon Dekkers fought some of the best fighters Thailand had to offer. Especially in the beginning it was hard for Dekkers to fight at full Thai rules. The scoring methods were different from what he was used to in Europe. "In Thailand it is very difficult to win other than by knocking your opponent out. It has happened to me in many of my fights that I have lost on "points" while fighting in Thailand. It's normal over there losing on points but it can be very frustrating," Dekkers stated in an interview in 1993. Dekkers also blamed some of his losses to his many injuries. Despite his defeats the Thai fight fans had a great respect for Dekkers' determination and ability.

Royal recognition

On the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the King of Thailand, Dekkers received a royal award from the Thai Royal Family for his services to the sport. The Dutchman was also appointed ambassador of all foreign fighters in Thailand. "This is very important to me. It is the greatest recognition that I can get for what I have achieved in this sport," said Dekkers, after the presentation by the Thai princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, the eldest daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Death

On 27 February 2013, Dekkers died at the age of 43, after reportedly feeling light-headed while training in his hometown Breda. He was riding his bike when he collapsed. A few bystanders attempted to assist him before emergency services arrived and attempted to revive him to no avail. It was reported that myocardial infarction (heart attack) was the cause of death. Hundreds of family members and friends farewelled Dekkers at his funeral at the Zuylen cemetery. The funeral procession was accompanied by dozens of members of the Motorbike Club Satudarah, as well as an airplane with a banner reading: the Diamond is 4ever, rest in peace.

Titles

  • 1987 MTBN Dutch Featherweight Champion
  • 1988 EMTA European Featherweight Champion
  • 1988 NKBB European Super Featherweight Champion
  • 1989 IMTA World Lightweight Champion
  • 1990 IMF World Light Welterweight Champion (2 title defenses)
  • 1992 WMTA World Light Welterweight Champion (1 title defense)
  • 1995 WMTA World Welterweight Champion
  • 1996 WPKL World Super Welterweight Champion (2 title defenses)

Awards

  • 2013 Royal award from the Thai Royal Family for his services to the sport

Fight record

Kickboxing record (incomplete)
186 Wins (95 (T)KO's), 36 Losses, 2 Draws
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record
2006-05-13 Loss Netherlands Joerie Mes K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2005-07-20 Win United States Duane Ludwig K-1 World MAX 2005 Final, Super Fight Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2001-03-18 Win Switzerland Marino Deflorin 2 Hot 2 Handle III: Simply The Best Rotterdam, Netherlands TKO 4 0:18
2000-11-01 Draw Japan Akeomi Nitta K-1 J-MAX 2000 Tokyo, Japan Decision draw (Majority) 5 3:00
2000-01-25 Loss Japan Takayuki Kohiruimaki K-1 Rising 2000 Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan TKO (Leg injury) 1 3:00
1998-11-14 Win Japan Kenichi Ogata Shootboxing "Ground Zero" Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan KO (Left hook) 4 2:58
Retains WPKL World Super Welterweight title.
1998-05-23 Loss Morocco Abdelkader Tarzati Muay Thai Champions League - Part II, 1st Round Roosendaal, Holland Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
1998-04-26 Win Japan Hiromu Yoshitaka RKS Presents Shoot the Shooto XX Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1997-11-22 Loss France Dany Bill King of the Ring Paris, France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1997-11-10 Win Morocco Hassan Kassrioui Night of Dynamite Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Punches) 3
Retains WPKL World Super Welterweight title.
1997-07-13 Loss Thailand Namkabuan Nongkee Pahuyuth La Nuit des Titans Morocco Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1997-06-01 Win Netherlands Gerald Mamadeus Battle of Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Low kicks) 3
1997-04-20 Win Thailand Sangtiennoi Sor.Rungroj The Night of No Mercy Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1997-03-23 Loss Suriname Rayen Simson Muay Thai Gala: The Night of War Roosendaal, Netherlands TKO (Corner stoppage) 2 3:00
1997-03-05 Win Thailand Wattana Sit-Or WPKL gala Dortmund, Germany KO (Punches) 1
1997-02-27 Loss Netherlands Jerry Morris Muay Thai Gala Hattem Hattem, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5
1997-02-01 Win Thailand Pursan Federation Royale Moracaine Full Semi Light Contact Kick Thai Boxing Rabat, Morocco KO (High kick) 2
1996-11-16 Win Morocco Hassan Kassrioui Night of the New Generation Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
Wins vacant WPKL World Super Welterweight title.
1996 Loss France Francois Pennacchio Milan, Italy Decision (Unanimous) 9 2:00
1996-03-16 Win United States Fernando Calleros MAJKF Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan KO (Right hook) 1 2:45
1995-12-05 Loss Thailand Den Muangsurin King's Birthday Macau Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1995-11-27 Loss Thailand Teerapong Sitgolyoot Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
The bout was for the vacant ISKA Intercontinental Muaythai Light Welterweight title.
1995-10-15 Win United States Hector Pena MAJKF Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan TKO (Corner stoppage) 2 2:35
1995 Loss Thailand Cherry Sor Wanich Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1995-06-02 Win Japan Taro Minato MAJKF Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan KO (Body shot) 1 1:33
1995-04-08 Loss Thailand Orono Por Muang Ubon Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1995 Win Thailand James Bond Bangkok, Thailand TKO (Punches) 4
1995-01-27 Win Thailand Nattawhut Pralomran The Fight Night in Breda Breda, Netherlands KO (Punches) 3
1994-09-20 Loss Thailand Jomhod Kiatadisak Muay Thai World Championships in honor of the King Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
The bout was for the vacant WMTA World Super Welterweight title.
1994-10-09 Win France Mourad Djebli Milan, Italy
1994 Win New Zealand John Bing Melbourne, Australia TKO (Referee stoppage) 4 2:58
1994 Loss Thailand Saimai Chor Suanatant Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1994 Loss Thailand Superlek Sorn E-Sarn Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1994 Loss France Dida Diafat Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1994-02-20 Win Netherlands Gilbert Ballantine The Night of the Thriller Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
Wins IKBF World title.
1993-12-19 Win Germany Mehmet Kaya Paris, France KO (Right lowkick) 2
1993-12-04 Loss Thailand Jaroenthong Kiatbanchong King's Birthday in Thailand Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
For the WMTC (currently WMC) World 140 lbs title.
1993-11 Loss France Dida Diafat Muay Thai Gala in Paris Paris, France TKO (Doctor stoppage) 3
1993-10 Loss Thailand Den Muangsurin Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1993 Win Thailand Coban Lookchaomaesaitong France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1993-06-06 Win Thailand Decharwin The War in Rotterdam Rotterdam, Netherlands KO (Body shot) 2
1993-2 Loss Thailand Chanoy Pon Tawee Thaiboxing in Hamburg Hamburg, Germany Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1992-11-29 Win Thailand Rittichai Tor. Chalermchai Lampang Province Decision 5 3:00
1992-09-20 Loss Netherlands Gilbert Ballantine The Night of Truth Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
The bout was for the IKBF World Light welterweight title.
1992-06-20 Loss France Jo Prestia Paris, France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
The bout was for the World Welterweight title.
1992-04-26 Loss Thailand Orono Por Muang Ubon Muay Thai Spectacle in Bangkok Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1992-04-09 Win France Jo Prestia Paris, France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1992-02-28 Loss Thailand Coban Lookchaomaesaitong Crocodile Farm Samut Prakan, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
The bout was for the vacant IMF World Welterweight title.
1991-11-26 Loss Thailand Sakmongkol Sithchuchok Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1991-10-25 Win France Joel Cesar Thriller in Paris II Paris, France KO (Left hook) 3 2:55
1991-09-23 Win France Joel Cesar Thriller in Paris I Paris, France KO (Left hook) 1 2:30
1991-09-03 Loss Thailand Sangtiennoi Sor.Rungroj Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1991-08-06 Win Thailand Coban Lookchaomaesaitong Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand KO (Right cross) 1
1991-04-21 Loss Thailand Coban Lookchaomaesaitong IKL Paris, France KO (Left hook) 1 1:00
1991 Win Thailand Sombat Sor Thanikul Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1991-03-22 Loss Thailand Sangtiennoi Sor.Rungroj MAJKF Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1990-12-18 Loss Thailand Boonchai Sor. Towanon MAJKF Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1990-11-27 Loss Thailand Issara Sakkreerin Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
The bout was for Sakkreerin's Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight title.
1990-08-31 Loss Thailand Superlek Sorn E-Sarn Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00
1990-04-20 Loss Thailand Namphon Nongkee Pahuyuth Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1990-04-01 Win England Thomas McArtney Holland vs. England Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Left knee) 2
1990-03-27 Win Thailand Cherry Sor Wanich Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Left hook) 1 38-5
1990-02-18 Win Thailand Namphon Nongkee Pahuyuth Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
Wins IMF World Light Welterweight title.
1989-10-08 Loss Netherlands Gilbert Ballantine Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1989 Loss Thailand Daris Sor Thanikul France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1989 Win Sweden Michael Partanen Den Bosch, Netherlands KO 5
1989-02-12 Win Thailand Mungkordun Sitchang Rouen, France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
Wins IMTA World Lightweight title.
1988 Win Morocco Mourad Jelbi Italy
1988 Win Netherlands Michel Ubbergen
1988 Win Thailand Anakhoun Suwannee Breda, Netherlands KO (Right uppercut) 2
1988-11-20 Loss Cape Verde Joao Vieira Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Right cross) 5
1988-06-19 Win England Mike Morris Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1988-04-14 Win England Kevin Morris Champions in Action Eindhoven, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
Wins NKBB European Super Featherweight title.
1988-02-27 Win France Andre Richard-Nam Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Left hook) 4
Wins EMTA European Featherweight title.
1988-02-06 Win France Khaled Hebieb Paris, France KO 1 25-3
1987-11-15 Win Netherlands Kenneth Ramkisoen Breda, Netherlands KO (High kick) 2
Wins MTBN Dutch Featherweight title.
1987 Win Germany Tune KO 1
1987-03-21 Loss France Andre Richard-Nam Lille, France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
1986 Win Netherlands L. Cairo Amsterdam, Netherlands KO
1986-10-05 Win Netherlands Boyd Rotterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 3 2:00
1986-02-02 Win Netherlands Kees Twigt Rotterdam, Netherlands KO 1
1986 Win Netherlands Andre Masseurs Netherlands KO 2
Professional mixed martial arts record
0 Wins, 1 Loss
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2005-03-26 Loss Genki Sudo Hero's 1 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Submission (Leglock) 1 2:54
Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ramon Dekkers para niños

  • List of male kickboxers
  • List of K-1 events
  • Muay Thai
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