Ramon Dekkers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ramon Dekkers |
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| Born | Ramon Dekkers 4 September 1969 Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands |
| Died | 27 February 2013 (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 |
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last updated on: March 9, 2013
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Ramon Dekkers (born September 4, 1969 – died February 27, 2013) was a famous Dutch kickboxer and an eight-time Muay Thai world champion. Dekkers was a favorite with fight fans because of his fast, aggressive fighting style. He was also known for being brave enough to travel to Thailand to fight the best Thai champions in their own country.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Training
Ramon Dekkers was born on September 4, 1969, in Breda, Netherlands. He started learning martial arts when he was 12 years old. First, he studied judo for about six months. After that, he switched to boxing.
A couple of years later, Ramon began practicing Muay Thai under a trainer named Cor Hemmers. After finishing his education as a baker, Dekkers joined the Maeng Ho Breda Gym. Ramon's mother was often at the gym during his early training days. She and Cor Hemmers eventually fell in love and got married.
In the beginning of his career, Ramon's manager was Clovis Depretz. Clovis also managed the legendary fighter Rob Kaman. Because of this, Kaman was often at ringside during many of Dekkers' fights. They trained together often and became good friends. Fans in Thailand even called Dekkers and Kaman "The Double Dutch duo."
First Fights and Rising Fame
Ramon Dekkers had his first fight when he was just 16 years old. He won with a spectacular knockout against an older, more experienced boxer. Even though he only weighed about 55 kilograms (121 pounds), his opponents quickly learned he was much stronger than he looked.
As Dekkers kept winning his matches by knockout, his reputation as a rising star in the Muay Thai world grew. He won his first title at age 18. This was the MTBN Dutch Championship on November 15, 1987. Dekkers defeated Kenneth Ramkisoen with a knockout from a high kick. Before this, he had his first international fight against the European champion, Richard Nam from France. Dekkers lost that fight on points. They had a rematch a year later for the EMTA European Championship. This time, Dekkers won by knockout in the fourth round.
Becoming a World Star
On April 14, 1988, Dekkers fought for the NKBB European Super Featherweight Championship against Kevin Morris. He won against his English opponent by a clear decision. Over the next year, Ramon won many fights. He then defeated Mungkordum Sitchang to win the IMTA World Lightweight title.
Towards the end of 1988, he faced Gilbert Ballantine from the famous Chakuriki Gym in Amsterdam. Dekkers lost this fight by decision. This match started a big rivalry between the two fighters. They would fight two more times, with each of them winning one fight.
On February 18, 1990, Dekkers truly became a world-famous fighter. In Amsterdam, he faced the reigning Lumpinee champion Namphon Nongkeepahuyuth. Ramon handed Namphon a rare defeat after five rounds, winning the IMF World Light Welterweight title. The two fighters met again two months later in a rematch in Bangkok, Thailand. This time, Dekkers lost a close decision. He returned to Thailand later that year to fight Issara Sakkreerin for Sakkreerin's Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight title, but he lost.
Ramon Dekkers' most famous rival was Coban Lookchaomaesaitong, a multiple Lumpinee champion and a living legend. In their first fight on April 21, 1991, Dekkers was knocked out. This was the first of four fights between them from 1991 to 1993. Their rivalry became one of the biggest in Muay Thai history. In their second fight, Dekkers won with an amazing knockout. In their third match, Dekkers lost by decision after five tough rounds. But he won the fourth and final fight, making their score even. Fans worldwide still consider the Coban vs. Dekkers fights among the best ever.
Between 1992 and 1996, Dekkers took part in many important fights. He defeated fighters like Joe Prestia and Mehmet Kaya. He also had some losses during this time.
On November 16, 1996, Dekkers defeated Hassan Kassrioui to win the World Professional Kickboxing League (WPKL) World Super Welterweight Championship. By this point, injuries were starting to affect his career. A month later, he faced Jomhod Kiatadisak in Thailand for another world title, but he lost. In a memorable match against Rayen Simson in 1997, Dekkers injured his eye and had to stop fighting. He then went back to winning, defeating Saengtiennoi Sor. Rungrot, a fighter he had lost to twice before.
Farewell Fight and Comeback
On March 18, 2001, Ramon Dekkers had his farewell fight against Marino Deflorin in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Dekkers won the fight in the fourth round with a knockout. After the fight, his team, Golden Glory, joined him on stage. His friend Rob Kaman presented him with a Golden Glory torch. Ramon then passed it to each team member as videos of his victories played on screens.
After retiring, Dekkers stayed busy training his teams, Team Dekkers and Golden Glory. However, in 2005, he surprised everyone by signing a contract with K-1. He was set to fight under MMA rules against Genki Sudo. Dekkers had never fought MMA before and took the fight with only a few days' notice. He lost by a leglock.
His management then arranged another fight under regular K-1 rules. Dekkers fought American Duane Ludwig at the K-1 Max 2005 event. A few days before the fight, Dekkers tore a ligament in his right shoulder. He could only punch with his left arm during the entire fight. Despite this, Dekkers knocked Ludwig down in every round and won the fight by decision. His final retirement fight was against Joerie Mes on May 13, 2006. After both fighters were knocked down in the second round, Mes won by decision. Immediately after the fight, Dekkers announced his final retirement.
Fame in Thailand
Ramon Dekkers fought some of the best fighters Thailand had. In the beginning, it was hard for Dekkers to fight under full Thai rules. The way fights were scored was different from what he was used to in Europe. Dekkers said in 1993, "In Thailand, it is very difficult to win other than by knocking your opponent out." He also said that many of his losses were due to his many injuries. Despite his defeats, Thai fight fans had great respect for Dekkers' determination and skill.
Royal Recognition
In 2013, on the 85th birthday of the King of Thailand, Dekkers received a special award from the Thai Royal Family. This was for his great contributions to the sport of Muay Thai. He was also named an ambassador for all foreign fighters in Thailand. Dekkers said, "This is very important to me. It is the greatest recognition that I can get for what I have achieved in this sport." The award was presented by the Thai princess Ubolratana Rajakanya, the eldest daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Death
On February 27, 2013, Ramon Dekkers died at the age of 43. He was reportedly feeling light-headed while training in his hometown of Breda. He was riding his bike when he collapsed. People nearby tried to help him before emergency services arrived, but they could not revive him. It was reported that he died from a myocardial infarction (a heart attack). Hundreds of family members and friends attended his funeral. The funeral procession was joined by many members of a motorbike club, and an airplane flew overhead with a banner that read: "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
See also
- List of male kickboxers
- List of K-1 events
- Muay Thai
