8 times World Champion in Kick Boxing and
Thai Boxing
Current status:
Retired
Dutch born Ramon Dekkers is probably one of the best known
western Thai boxers of all time. Ramon Dekkers is to kickboxing what
Muhammad Ali was to boxing or Diego Maradona to soccer. He is an athlete who
always pursued excellence and perfection; a fighter whose heart was greater
than his bodily power. In spite of all his health problems, he showed great
spirit and courage. He created kickboxing history; but in doing so he
damaged his body irreversibly.
It could be said that since some fighters beat Ramon, they were better
athletes. Then again, the same happened to the great Muhammad Ali. Every
fighter loses eventually, but greatness in contact sports is not
accomplished by any single fight but rather through a remarkable career.
Most of the fights Ramon lost were lost on points or because he was not
“clever” enough to avoid or cancel a fight like most professional fighters
often do because of injuries.
Ramon Dekkers was born in Breda, Holland, a small rural community an hour
south of Amsterdam. He was born on 4 September 1969. Ramon Dekkers is a man
who enjoyed the challenge of fighting most of all. He fought for 20 years
and had almost 200 fights with 175 wins, 90 by KO. He fought many fights in
Thailand under Thai rules.
He is 8 times World Champion in Kick Boxing and Thai Boxing.
He has fought against some of the top Thai and international fighters of his
time. He has competed around the world and won several championships
throughout his career. Dekkers is noted as a skilled fighter with powerful
punches and kicks, and had a tendency to go head -to-head with his
opponents, which made him a favorite with the Thais.
Dekkers gained financially from fighting in Thailand. They paid him very
well to fight in their country. He was voted as the Fighter of the Year in
Thailand in 1992 so his name will go down in history.
Here are some of the first titles he won:
• Dutch Title at 18 years of age against Ramkisoen from the Chakuriki Gym on
15-11-1987 in Breda/Holland. He won on KO in the 2nd round
• European Title (MTBN) from Richard Nam in France on 27-02-1988 in the Jaap
Edenhal in Amsterdam/Holland.
• European Title (NKBB) from Morris who was from England on 14th of April
1988 in Eindhoven/ Holland.
• World Title (IMTA) from Mungkordum Sitchang, World Title in 59 kg, on
2-12-1989 in Salle Lionel Terray in France. He won by decision.
• World Title against Nangpon (IMTF) for the World Muay Thai Championship,
18-02-1990 in the Jaap Edenhal in Amsterdam/Holland 18-02-1990
Most of Ramon’s losses were on “points.” Sometimes he fought 2 fights in 1
week and that in my opinion wore him out and caused some of his losses and
injuries.