Ramon Dekkers
Ramon Dekkers | |
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Born | Ramon Dekkers 4 September 1969 Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands |
Died | 27 February 2013 Breda, North Brabant, Netherlands | (aged 43)
Other names | The Diamond Turbine from Hell |
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 |
Other information | |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
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
[edit]Early years
[edit]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.[1]
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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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.[2] 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
[edit]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.[3]
Death
[edit]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.[4] It was reported that myocardial infarction (heart attack) was the cause of death.[5] 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 2013 Royal award from the Thai Royal Family for his services to the sport
Fight record
[edit]186 Wins (95 (T)KO's), 36 Losses, 2 Draws | ||||||||
Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2006-05-13 | Loss | ![]() |
K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2005-07-20 | Win | ![]() |
K-1 World MAX 2005 Final, Super Fight | Yokohama, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2001-03-18 | Win | ![]() |
2 Hot 2 Handle III: Simply The Best | Rotterdam, Netherlands | TKO | 4 | 0:18 | |
2000-11-01 | Draw | ![]() |
K-1 J-MAX 2000 | Tokyo, Japan | Decision draw (Majority) | 5 | 3:00 | |
2000-01-25 | Loss | ![]() |
K-1 Rising 2000 | Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan | TKO (Leg injury) | 1 | 3:00 | |
1998-11-14 | Win | ![]() |
Shootboxing "Ground Zero" | Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan | KO (Left hook) | 4 | 2:58 | |
Retains WPKL World Super Welterweight title. | ||||||||
1998-05-23 | Loss | ![]() |
Muay Thai Champions League - Part II, 1st Round | Roosendaal, Holland | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
1998-04-26 | Win | ![]() |
RKS Presents Shoot the Shooto XX | Yokohama, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
1997-11-22 | Loss | ![]() |
King of the Ring | Paris, France | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
1997-11-10 | Win | ![]() |
Night of Dynamite | Amsterdam, Netherlands | KO (Punches) | 3 | ||
Retains WPKL World Super Welterweight title. | ||||||||
1997-07-13 | Loss | ![]() |
La Nuit des Titans | Morocco | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
1997-06-01 | Win | ![]() |
Battle of Amsterdam | Amsterdam, Netherlands | KO (Low kicks) | 3 | ||
1997-04-20 | Win | ![]() |
The Night of No Mercy | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
1997-03-23 | Loss | ![]() |
Muay Thai Gala: The Night of War | Roosendaal, Netherlands | TKO (Corner stoppage) | 2 | 3:00 | |
1997-03-05 | Win | ![]() |
WPKL gala | Dortmund, Germany | KO (Punches) | 1 | ||
1997-02-27 | Loss | ![]() |
Muay Thai Gala Hattem | Hattem, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | ||
1997-02-01 | Win | ![]() |
Federation Royale Moracaine Full Semi Light Contact Kick Thai Boxing | Rabat, Morocco | KO (High kick) | 2 | ||
1996-11-16 | Win | ![]() |
Night of the New Generation | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
Wins vacant WPKL World Super Welterweight title. | ||||||||
1996 | Loss | ![]() |
Milan, Italy | Decision (Unanimous) | 9 | 2:00 | ||
1996-03-16 | Win | ![]() |
MAJKF | Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan | KO (Right hook) | 1 | 2:45 | |
1995-12-05 | Loss | ![]() |
King's Birthday | Macau | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
1995-11-27 | Loss | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
The bout was for the vacant ISKA Intercontinental Muaythai Light Welterweight title. | ||||||||
1995-10-15 | Win | ![]() |
MAJKF | Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan | TKO (Corner stoppage) | 2 | 2:35 | |
1995 | Loss | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1995-06-02 | Win | ![]() |
MAJKF | Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan | KO (Body shot) | 1 | 1:33 | |
1995-04-08 | Loss | ![]() |
Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1995 | Win | ![]() |
Bangkok, Thailand | TKO (Punches) | 4 | |||
1995-01-27 | Win | ![]() |
The Fight Night in Breda | Breda, Netherlands | KO (Punches) | 3 | ||
1994-09-20 | Loss | ![]() |
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 | ![]() |
Milan, Italy | |||||
1994 | Win | ![]() |
Melbourne, Australia | TKO (Referee stoppage) | 4 | 2:58 | ||
1994 | Loss | ![]() |
Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1994 | Loss | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
1994 | Loss | ![]() |
Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |||
1994-02-20 | Win | ![]() |
The Night of the Thriller | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
Wins IKBF World title. | ||||||||
1993-12-19 | Win | ![]() |
Paris, France | KO (Right lowkick) | 2 | |||
1993-12-04 | Loss | ![]() |
King's Birthday in Thailand | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
For the WMTC (currently WMC) World 140 lbs title. | ||||||||
1993-11 | Loss | ![]() |
Muay Thai Gala in Paris | Paris, France | TKO (Doctor stoppage) | 3 | ||
1993-10 | Loss | ![]() |
Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1993 | Win | ![]() |
France | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1993-06-06 | Win | ![]() |
The War in Rotterdam | Rotterdam, Netherlands | KO (Body shot) | 2 | ||
1993-2 | Loss | ![]() |
Thaiboxing in Hamburg | Hamburg, Germany | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
1992-11-29 | Win | ![]() |
Lampang Province | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1992-09-20 | Loss | ![]() |
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 | ![]() |
Paris, France | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | ||
The bout was for the World Welterweight title. | ||||||||
1992-04-26 | Loss | ![]() |
Muay Thai Spectacle in Bangkok | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1992-04-09 | Win | ![]() |
Paris, France | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1992-02-28 | Loss | ![]() |
Crocodile Farm | Samut Prakan, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
The bout was for the vacant IMF World Welterweight title. | ||||||||
1991-11-26 | Loss | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
1991-10-25 | Win | ![]() |
Thriller in Paris II | Paris, France | KO (Left hook) | 3 | 2:55 | |
1991-09-23 | Win | ![]() |
Thriller in Paris I | Paris, France | KO (Left hook) | 1 | 2:30 | |
1991-09-03 | Loss | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
1991-08-06 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | KO (Right cross) | 1 | ||
1991-04-21 | Loss | ![]() |
IKL | Paris, France | KO (Left hook) | 1 | 1:00 | |
1991 | Win | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
1991-03-22 | Loss | ![]() |
MAJKF | Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
1990-12-18 | Loss | ![]() |
MAJKF | Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
1990-11-27 | Loss | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
For the Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight (135 lbs) title. | ||||||||
1990-08-31 | Loss | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
1990-04-20 | Loss | ![]() |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
1990-04-01 | Win | ![]() |
Holland vs. England | Amsterdam, Netherlands | KO (Left knee) | 2 | ||
1990-03-27 | Win | ![]() |
Amsterdam, Netherlands | KO (Left hook) | 1 | 38-5 | ||
1990-02-18 | Win | ![]() |
Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | ||
Wins IMF World Light Welterweight title. | ||||||||
1989-10-08 | Loss | ![]() |
Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1989 | Loss | ![]() |
France | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1989 | Win | ![]() |
Den Bosch, Netherlands | KO | 5 | |||
1989-02-12 | Win | ![]() |
Rouen, France | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | ||
Wins IMTA World Lightweight title. | ||||||||
1988 | Win | ![]() |
Italy | |||||
1988 | Win | ![]() |
||||||
1988 | Win | ![]() |
Breda, Netherlands | KO (Right uppercut) | 2 | |||
1988-11-20 | Loss | ![]() |
Amsterdam, Netherlands | KO (Right cross) | 5 | |||
1988-06-19 | Win | ![]() |
Amsterdam, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1988-04-14 | Win | ![]() |
Champions in Action | Eindhoven, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
Wins NKBB European Super Featherweight title. | ||||||||
1988-02-27 | Win | ![]() |
Amsterdam, Netherlands | KO (Left hook) | 4 | |||
Wins EMTA European Featherweight title. | ||||||||
1988-02-06 | Win | ![]() |
Paris, France | KO | 1 | 25-3 | ||
1987-11-15 | Win | ![]() |
Breda, Netherlands | KO (High kick) | 2 | |||
Wins MTBN Dutch Featherweight title. | ||||||||
1987 | Win | ![]() |
KO | 1 | ||||
1987-03-21 | Loss | ![]() |
Lille, France | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | ||
1986 | Win | ![]() |
Amsterdam, Netherlands | KO | ||||
1986-10-05 | Win | ![]() |
Rotterdam, Netherlands | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 2:00 | ||
1986-02-02 | Win | ![]() |
Rotterdam, Netherlands | KO | 1 | |||
1986 | Win | ![]() |
Netherlands | KO | 2 |
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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ P. van de Berg. Ramon Dekker: Van Kuifje tot Knokker. Zendokan nr. 2 (1998), pp. 20–21.
- ^ "Top 10 Muay Thai Fighters of All Time". Muay Thai PROS. 2014-02-23. Archived from the original on 2016-01-13. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ^ "Onderscheiding thaibokser Dekkers". De Telegraaf. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ^ "Kickbokslegende Ramon Dekkers (43) uit Breda overleden". BN De Stem. Retrieved 2013-02-27.
- ^ Muay Thai legend Dekkers dies
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- 1969 births
- 2013 deaths
- Dutch male kickboxers
- Dutch male mixed martial artists
- Dutch Muay Thai practitioners
- Featherweight kickboxers
- Kickboxing trainers
- Lightweight kickboxers
- Lightweight mixed martial artists
- Mixed martial artists utilizing Muay Thai
- Middleweight kickboxers
- Muay Thai trainers
- Sportspeople from Breda
- Welterweight kickboxers