Duane Ludwig - Kickboxing Career

Kickboxing Career

Duane started practicing Muay Thai when he was 15 years old. He would have a successful amateur career winning twelve of his fourteen bouts and picking up three IKF International Kickboxing Federation Muay Thai national and regional titles. He turned professional in 2000 when he defeated Terrance Jones at a Ring of Fire event, in what was a rematch from their amateur days. At the end of the year Duane won his first pro title by winning the W.K.A. US national title, which he followed with the I.M.T.C. title the next year. He had his first real challenge in 2001 when he faced world champion Alex Gong for his I.S.K.A. belt at a K-1 event in Las Vegas. The title went the distance with the young Ludwig being handing his first professional defeat. There was some controversy about the decision as some thought that despite a shaky start Ludwig had shaded it.

In 2002 Duane dropped down in weight to 70 kg to take part in a qualifying tournament for the first ever K-1 MAX world final. He won the four man tournament, defeating no. 1 ranked I.K.F. fighter Ole Laursen in the final to book his place to Tokyo. At the finals Ludwig was drawn against home favourite Masato, and despite his best efforts was unable to make the semi finals, being outclassed by the local fighter over three rounds to lose by unanimous decision. He would get another shot at K-1 MAX glory the following year in Saitama, Japan and went one better, reaching the semi finals where he lost to 2002 K-1 MAX champion Albert Kraus. In 2004 he won his last Muay Thai title where he finally got his hands on the a world title, defeating Thai superstar Malaipet by decision after five rounds to win the I.S.K.A. world title, something Ludwig considers one of his proudest ever moments. The title fight was also notable as the belt had previously been held by Alex Gong - a rematch between him and Ludwig had been on the card since their bout in 2001 but Gong died in 2003. After this victory Duane would become increasingly involved in MMA at the expense of his kickboxing career, although he would have a number of K-1 fights up until 2006, finishing with a 4-7-1 record with the organization.