Golden Glory gym, where Dekker's child was at home, is closed until further notice. All training sessions on Wednesday have been cancelled. Acquaintances of Dekkers reacted with shock. “The news hit like a bomb. It came totally unexpected. Ramon was a fit guy and there was nothing wrong with him. He was the Mohammed Ali of Breda.”
Kickboxer Peters Aerts from Eindhoven is also shocked. “Incredible. What a drama. It scares me, man. How is it possible at such an age?” Aerts and Dekkers knew each other 'very well'. “He was absolutely world class when I started. Ramon was an example to me and a super Thai boxer.”
Dekkers fell into the tunnel at the intersection with Emerparklaan. Emergency services turned out en masse with six police cars, three ambulances and an air ambulance. Bystanders also rushed to help. CPR was of no avail. Traffic was temporarily diverted due to the accident.
Eight-time world champion
The Breda native, nicknamed The Diamond, was an eight-time Muay Thai and kickboxing world champion. At the end of the last century he was the most famous foreign Thai boxer in Thailand. There he even received a royal decoration. Dekkers was the first foreigner to receive the title of Thai Boxer of the Year.
The sudden death of Dekkers keeps the boxing world busy. Former boxer Bas Rutten, born in Tilburg and now living in America, has no doubts: “Yes, it's true. The greatest Thai boxer in the world passed away today.” American kickboxer Vinny Magalhaes tweets that Dekkers was 'a legend'. Colleague Duke Roufus believes Dekkers has 'inspired many of us in training and fighting'.
(Source: Omroep Brabant)
See also: www.thailandblog.nl/sport/thaibokser-ramon-dekkers-get-koninklijke-onderdeling-thailand/
Rest in peace Ramon Dekkers.
He was an example and inspiration for many in the Muay Thai sport. The Diamond was a gentleman in and out of the ring!! One of the world's best Muay Thai fighters! Recently received a royal award in Thailand! And now, incredibly, only 43 years old!
Unbelievable.. often when I came to Thailand and went to Thai box matches I was spoken to by the locals as you know ramon dekkers?.. Ramon was to thai boxing what cruyf is to soccer. great example for many in the Netherlands and far beyond who have a warm heart for Thai boxing..
I'm not much of a boxing fan, but this does something to me. There are pictures of this legendary kickboxer in various places here in Thailand.
This message from the Omroep Brabant website:
BREDA - The sudden death of Thai boxing legend Ramon Dekkers (43) from Breda makes the news all over the world. From Russia to Greece and even outside Europe, media reports about the disappearance of 'The Legend'. Dekkers died on Wednesday when he became unwell while cycling.
The Russian website SuperKarate writes that Dekkers never refused a fight. “He fought against everyone, under all circumstances. Even when he was injured, he was unstoppable.”
Greece and Romania
“People from the Thai boxing world are immersed in mourning,” headlines the Greek news site NewsNow. The Romanian website Sport Ro calls the death of Dekkers breaking news. “This is bad news for the sport. The best fighter ever has passed away”, write Romanian sports journalists.
Outside Europe, attention is also being paid to the death of the Thai boxer from Breda. The Brazilian news site Bem Paraná reported on the tragic fate that befell Dekkers on Wednesday.
Reminder
Articles on websites focused on kickboxing news were inevitable. Bloody Elbow was one of the first sites to report Dekkers' death, as was Liver Kick. "He will always be remembered for his achievements inside and outside the ring."
Apparently it has not yet penetrated everywhere, this news, the Thai media have not yet reported on it.
RIP RAMON
Old friend, topper, I'm going to miss you
Cor and family a lot of strength and condolences with this amazing loss.
So there you have it. They cannot forget the humiliation Ramon inflicted on them. 8 times world champion, so also humiliated a great Thai 8 times. Should have been on the news the first day. No do not do that. No admiration for that man who is known all over the world (and even had an award on the King's birthday) and was a great sportsman. What do you think if Anton Geesink had died. The Japanese had brought it to the news earlier than “de Telegraaf”.
That's the Thai mentality. We are the best in the world and the rest does not exist.
Ramon, died way too soon. We don't forget our sports heroes and even the big ones from abroad.
I will never forget you.
J. Jordan.
I have to respond because if this *** comment stays here, everyone could get a very wrong impression of athletes [boxers] among themselves.
Ramon has left the ring more than 100 times as world champion and has never humiliated a Thai or other opponent. We were the first to go for a drink together after the fight and a lot of Ramon's opponents have always remained friends. And we have again received a lot of respect from Thailand, among others. The bad news has also arrived in Thailand and it is presented with great respect.
This sport is about mutual respect and we would like to keep it that way.
The Thai-language newspaper Matichon today pays attention to the death of Ramon Dekkers on the sports page with appreciative words. So with that 'Thai mentality' it's not too bad.
It is still unbelievable, such a great champion and from one moment to the next he, the greatest ever, is gone.
I have been lucky enough to have worked in Ramon's support team for many years. He always took the trouble and time for people if they wanted a photo or an autograph. He also had time for a conversation with everyone at very important moments [before competitions].
When you look at Golden Glory's site now and see how big the company has become, realize that if it weren't for him, none of that would have happened.
He has opened doors for so many in this beautiful sport and I think he has been an example for everyone in this sport. I am very happy that the King of Thailand gave him a nice appointment last December as the only foreign athlete ever.
I sincerely hope that he can always be an example for all athletes.
rest in peace dear friend.
Rob de Callafon
And what I also find really sad is that there was no mention of it on the news or teletext. It's just outrageous! A great sportsman has passed away and no one cares there! Then you better be a footballer or skater!
This one's for you Ramon: Diamonds are forever!
I just saw it on the NotU (News of the Universe). Perhaps a consolation for the fans.
I never saw him fight in the ring myself, but all my Thai friends were a big fan of Ramon Dekkers. I just spoke to a couple on Skype, and they had tears in their eyes when I told them. Their hero is no more.
RIP Ramon!!
Bangkok Post today reports the death of Ramon Dekkers in the sports supplement (correction: on the sports page). The newspaper recalls his victories against Thailand's best Muay Thai fighters and mentions his nickname in the Thai press: Turbine from Hell.
Dekkers was the first non-Thai to win the Muay Thai fighter of the year award from the Sports Writer's Association of Thailand in 1992.
Rob phitsanulok read this blog for about a year now know who you are for a fucking reason. Just came from Cambodia and is now crying on the couch at home in pattaya. Let's keep in touch Been living here for a few years now. Good luck to you too, long Gerrit to request my email address at Thailand blog.
Moderator: It is not the intention that Thailandblog acts as a letterbox.
The Thai-language newspaper Matichon also pays attention to the death of Ramon Dekkers on today's sports page. The newspaper calls him 'the most famous foreign kickboxer in Thailand', he won 175 of his 200 matches played here and was 8 times World Champion.
Very sad. The BP online posted a video compilation of his career. His opponents don't stand a chance, it seems. What struck me was that Ramon mainly used his fists to dismantle (destroy) his opponents, while Thai Muay Thai fighters rely more on side-and-up kicks.
Couldn't find anything about it in the Dutch press. Must be related to budget cuts.
A beautiful photo of Ramon Dekkers graces the front page of Sunday's Sports Supplement of Bangkok Post. On page 8 a somewhat more extensive story than previously in the newspaper under the title Diamond Dekkers leaves a legacy.
Those who thought they should note that Thailand was ignoring his death were impatient.
An unexpected message.
A big shock.
It was with great dismay that I learned of this
the death of Ramon Dekkers.
My friend from thailand.
Where we met, that was in 1992 in Suhothai Oldcity where I lived for 24 years.
He also got to know my children, and taught my 6-year-old son some tricks about Muay Thai.
I knew him as a nice and honest friend.
A good Boxer and a sporty opponent.
I wish his family, friends, acquaintances and
Lots of strength.
Han .Den.Heijer
Emmen
Moderator: we do not post English comments.