Ramon Dekkers

Ramon Dekkers
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	72 kg (159 lb; 11.3 st)
Division	Featherweight Super featherweight Lightweight Super lightweight Welterweight Super welterweight
Style	Kickboxing, Muay Thai
Stance	Orthodox
Team	Maeng Ho Gym Team Dekkers Golden Glory
Trainer	Cor Hemmers
Years active	20 (1986 – 2006)
Kickboxing record
Total	223
Wins	186
By knockout	95
Losses	35
Draws	2
Mixed martial arts record
Total	1
Wins	0
Losses	1
By submission	1
Draws	0
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: March 9, 2013

Ramon "The Diamond" Dekkers (4 September 1969 – 27 February 2013) was a Dutch kickboxer and an eight time Muay Thai world champion. Dekkers had a tendency to go head-to-head with his opponents, which made him a favourite with fight fans.

Biography

Early years

Dekkers was born on 4 September 1969 in Breda, Netherlands. He began learning martial arts at age 12, studying judo for a few months. He then switched to boxing. After half a year 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 than later he was much stronger than he looked. As Dekkers kept on winning his matches by knockout, his reputation of an as 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 Ramkisoen by knockout with a high kick. Previous to this fight the Dutchman had his first international contest against the reining 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 the French capital Paris, he faced the reigning Lumpinee champion Nongkee Pahuyuth. He inflicted a rare defeat on Namphon after five rounds, taking the IMF World Light Welterweight title. Throughout the bout, Dekkers controlled the fight, scoring two knockdowns. 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 feuds 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 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 by 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. 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 than he was used to be 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 with Mike Miles 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.^[2]

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.^[3] It was reported that myocardial infarction heart attack was the cause of death.^[4] 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, while an airplane with a banner reading "The Diamond 4Ever, rest in peace" circled above the town.^[5]

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), 35 Losses, 2 Draws Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record 2006-05-13 Loss Joerie Mes K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 2001-03-18 Win Marino Deflorin 2 Hot 2 Handle III: Simply The Best Rotterdam, Netherlands TKO 4 0:18 2000-11-01 Draw Akeomi Nitta K-1 J-MAX 2000 Tokyo, Japan Decision draw (Majority) 5 3:00 2000-01-25 Loss Takayuki Kohiruimaki K-1 Rising 2000 Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan TKO (Leg injury) 1 3:00 1998-11-14 Win Kenichi Ogata Shootboxing "Ground Zero" Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan KO (Left hook) 4 2:58 Retains WPKL World Super welterweight title. 1998-05-23 Loss Abdelkader Tarzati Muay Thai Champions League - Part II, 1st Round Roosendaal, Holland Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 1998-04-26 Win Hiromu Yoshitaka RKS Presents Shoot the Shooto XX Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1997-11-22 Loss Dany Bill King of the Ring Paris, France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1997-11-10 Win Hassan Kassrioui Night of Dynamite Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Punches) 3 Retains WPKL World Super welterweight title. 1997-07-13 Loss Namkabuan Nongkeeprawayuth La Nuit des Titans Morocco Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1997-06-01 Win Gerald Mamadeus Battle of Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Low kicks) 3 1997 Loss Teerapong Sitgolyoot Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00 1997-04-20 Win Saengtiennoi Sor. Rungrot The Night of No Mercy Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1997-03-23 Loss Rayen Simson Muay Thai Gala: The Night of War Roosendaal, Netherlands TKO (Corner stoppage) 2 3:00 1997-02-27 Loss Jerry Morris Muay Thai Gala Hattem Hattem, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 1996-12-05 Loss Jomhod Kiatadisak King's Birthday Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 The bout was for the vacant WMTA World Super welterweight title. 1996-11-16 Win Hassan Kassrioui Night of the New Generation Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision(Unanimous) 5 3:00 Wins vacant WPKL World Super welterweight title. 1996 Loss Francois Pennacchio Milan, Italy Decision (Unanimous) 9 2:00 1996-03-16 Win Fernando Calleros MAJKF Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan KO (Right hook) 1 2:45 1995-12-05 Loss Den Muangsurin King's Birthday Macau Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1995-10-15 Win Hector Pena MAJKF Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan TKO (Corner stoppage) 2 2:35 1995 Loss Cherry S. Wanich Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00 1995-06-02 Win Taro Minato MAJKF Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan KO (Body shot) 1 1:33 1995-04-08 Loss Orono Por Muang-Ubol Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1995-01-27 Win Nattawhut Pralomran The Fight Night in Breda Breda, Netherlands KO (Punches) 3 1994-10-09 Win Mourad Djebli Milan, Italy 1994 Win John Bing Melbourne, Australia TKO (Referee stoppage) 4 2:58 1994 Loss Saimai Chor Suanatant Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1994 Loss Superlek Sorn E-san Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1994 Loss Dida Diafat Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1994-02-20 Win Gilbert Ballantine The Night of the Thriller Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 Wins IKBF World title. 1993-12 Win Mehmet Kaya Paris, France KO (Right lowkick) 2 1993-12-04 Loss Jaroenthong Kiatbangchon King's Birthday in Thailand Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 The bout was for the WMTC (currently WMC) World Lightweight title. 1993-11 Loss Dida Diafat Muay Thai Gala in Paris Paris, France TKO (Doctor stoppage) 3 1993-10 Loss Den Muangsurin Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1993 Win Coban Lookchaomaesaitong France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1993-06-06 Win Decharwin The War in Rotterdam Rotterdam, Netherlands KO (Body shot) 2 1993-04-26 Loss Orono Por Muang-Ubol Muay Thai Spectacle in Bangkok Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1993-2 Loss Chanoy Pon Tawee Thaiboxing in Hamburg Hamburg, Germany Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1992 Win Rittichai Tor. Chalermchai Birma Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1992-09-20 Loss 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 Joe Prestia Paris, France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 The bout was for the World Welterweight title. 1992-04-09 Win Joe Prestia Paris, France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1992-02-28 Loss Coban Lookchaomaesaitong Samut Prakan, Thailand Decision(Unanimous) 5 3:00 The bout was for the vacant IMF World Welterweight title. 1991-11-26 Loss Sakmongkol Sithchuchok Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision(Unanimous) 5 3:00 1991-10-25 Win Joel Cesar Thriller in Paris II Paris, France KO (Left hook) 3 2:55 1991-09-23 Win Joel Cesar Thriller in Paris I Paris, France KO (Left hook) 1 2:30 1991-09-03 Loss Saengtiennoi Sor. Rungrot Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1991-08-06 Win Coban Lookchaomaesaitong Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand KO (Right cross) 1 1991 Loss Superlek Sorn E-Sarn Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1991-04-21 Loss Coban Lookchaomaesaitong IKL Paris, France KO (Left hook) 1 1:00 1991-03-22 Loss Saengtiennoi Sor. Rungrot MAJKF Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1990-12-18 Loss Boonchai Sor. Towanon MAJKF Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan Unanimous (Decision) 5 3:00 1990-11-27 Loss Issara Sakkreerin Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision(Unanimous) 5 3:00 The bout was for Sakkreerin's Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight title. 1990-08-31 Win Superlek Sorn E-Sarn Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1990-04-20 Loss Namphon Nongkee Pahuyuth Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1990-04-01 Win Thomas McArtney Holland vs. England Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Left knee) 2 1990-03-27 Win Cherry S. Wanich Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Left hook) 1 1990-02-18 Win Namphon Nongkee Pahuyuth Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 Wins IMF World Light welterweight title. 1989-10-08 Loss Gilbert Ballantine Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1989 Win Michael Partanen Den Bosch, Netherlands KO 5 1989-02-12 Win Mungkordun Sitchang Rouen, France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 Wins IMTA World Lightweight title. 1988 Win Mourad Jelbi Italy 1988 Win Michel Ubbergen 1988 Win Anakhoun Breda, Netherlands KO (Right uppercut) 2 1988 Loss Joao Vieira KO (right cross) 5 1988-06-19 Win Mike Morris Amsterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1988-04-14 Win Kevin Morris Champions in Action Eindhoven, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 Wins NKBB European Super featherweight title. 1988-02-27 Win Richard Nam Amsterdam, Netherlands KO (Left hook) 4 Wins EMTA European Featherweight title. 1987-11-15 Win Rankisoen Breda, Netherlands KO (High kick) 2 Wins MTBN Dutch Featherweight title. 1987 Win Khaled KO 2 1987 Win Tune KO 1 1987-03-21 Loss Richard Nam Lille, France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1986 Win L. Cairo Amsterdam, Netherlands KO 1986 Win Boyd Rotterdam, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 1986-02-02 Win Rotterdam, Netherlands KO 1 1986 Win 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

• List of male kickboxers
• List of kickboxing organizations
• List of K-1 events

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ramon Dekkers.

• Ramon Dekkers official website
• Gods of War:Ramon Dekkers