Dutch Muay Thai legend and Golden Glory coach Ramon Dekkers has passed away, at the age of 43.
Dekkers was reportedly riding his bike in his hometown of Breda, The Netherlands, when he began to feel light headed, and then collapsed. Attempts to revive him by onlookers and then emergency services were unsuccessful.
Dekkers enjoyed a legendary career in Muay Thai, and last fought in 2006. His one foray into MMA, a fight taken on short notice vs. Genki Sudo in 2005, was not successful.
Dekkers was coach to a host of MMA notables including Marloes Coenen and Alistair Overeem, who offered condolences via Twitter.
Alistair Overeem @Alistairovereem
Just heared that the legendary Ramon Dekkers has died. My condolences go out to his family.
MarloesCoenen @MarloesCoenen
RIP. My ultimate fighting hero.
Read entire article… (original Dutch language)
Muay Thai great Duke Roufus offered his condolences, on the Underground.
From: Duke Roufus
Member Since: 4/7/05
Posts: 2247
I wanted to express my gratitude & respect to late great Ramon “Diamond” Dekkers.
Ramon & Rob Kaman were my early influence in Muay Thai. The first time I saw Ramon was early 1989 via video tape.
I was in a family of very involved in the PKA Kickboxing. My older brother Rick a Champion & my father a coach, manager, promoter, judge & ref. Pursuing Muay Thai was foolish to them at the time but it paid off.
I went to Thailand trained at SitYodtong where Rob & Ramon had before me. I wanted to follow in foot steps of their greatness.
I had to the pleasure to see Ramon fight live in France a few times.
I never reached the heights that he did as a fighter but he was inspiration for me follow my dream. I am the coach that I am today because of these guys inspiring me.
1994 down the road from SitYodtong I had my Thai Shorts on after training to get a M150 Sponsor re-hydration drink. A Thai guy says to me “You train Boxing? You want to be the next Lamon Dekkaa”? Yes I did! RIP Champ
