Dany Bill – The Purest Non-Thai Femur
Dany Bill was a rare breed of foreign muay femur, with no true predecessor or successor among non-Thai fighters. A master of sweeps and counters, he rose from the streets of Paris to compete with the best, defeating elite Thais like Orono Por Muang Ubon, Sangtiennoi Sor Rungroj, and Nokweed Devy, with multiple wins on the King’s Birthday stage.
| Name: | Dany Bill |
| Birth Name: | Dany Billé |
| Date of Birth: | 28 April 1973 |
| Place of Birth: | Douala, Cameroon |
| Nickname: | Black Monk, Dangerous Black Lion |
| Height: | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) |
| Weight Class: | Super Lightweight, Welterweight, Super Welterweight |
| Stance: | Orthodox |
| Team: | Nemrod Boxing Gym, Club RMBoxing, Sidyodtong Gym, Jocky Gym |
| Years active: | 1986–2012 |
His fight IQ set a benchmark for foreign fighters, redefining what was possible in Muay Thai.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Born in 1973 in Cameroon, Dany Bill moved to Stains, France, at the age of five. Growing up in a tough suburb, he frequently fought in the streets, developing sweeps to counter stronger opponents—a skill that would later define his Muay Thai style.
At 14, Bill saw Krongsak Boranrat defeat Rob Kaman on TV. Despite giving up around 9kg (nearly 20lbs), Krongsak weathered Kaman’s early power before delivering a masterclass in balance, timing, and control. Despite Krongsak giving up around 9kg (nearly 20lbs), he absorbed Kaman’s early power before putting on a masterclass in balance, timing, and control. The fight was one of the first times Muay Thai was broadcast on mainstream French television, marking the beginning of a golden era for the sport in France.
Bill soon took up kickboxing before transitioning to Muay Thai under Omar Benamar and Liazid Belhaoues at Nemrod Boxing Gym, eventually moving to RMB Boxing Gym under Rachid Saadi.
Though naturally gifted, Bill initially relied on brute force, winning his early fights by stoppage. However, in his eleventh bout, he fatigued and was outworked as his well-conditioned opponent dragged him into the later rounds. He realised he wasn’t managing his energy efficiently and that sheer power wouldn’t be enough to compete at a high level. Bill discussed this turning point in a French-language interview, reflecting on the lessons he learned from the experience.
By 16, he fully committed to Muay Thai, sharpening his skills through competition and study. He focused on footwork, conditioning, and energy economy—key aspects of Muay Thai training—ensuring he could fight at a controlled pace while maintaining tactical flexibility. He began to refine his style through observation and experimentation, often studying his favourite fighters and adapting their techniques into his own unique approach. He tested new moves in sparring and even applied lessons from street fights, developing a fluid and unpredictable style.
In 1992, Bill announced himself on the international stage by defeating experienced Thai fighter Samart Galaxy at Japy Hall in Paris. Ranked No. 1 at Rajadamnern Stadium with nearly 150 fights to his name, Samart represented a step up in competition for the 19-year-old Bill.
Bill rose to the occasion, winning on points with rapid cut kicks, sweeps, and counters to outmaneuver the veteran Thai. This fight marked the first large-scale public showcase of his signature sweeps.
Journey to Thailand and Career Highlights
Bill’s time in Thailand was pivotal in refining his style. In 1992, he travelled there for the first time, training at Jocky Gym in Bangkok alongside legendary fighters such as Silapathai Jocky Gym and Robert Kaennorasing, as well as fellow Frenchman Jean-Charles Skarbowsky. Later, he trained at Sityodtong Gym in Pattaya with technical masters like Samart Payakaroon, Neungpichit Sityodtong and Chatchai Paiseetong. Training with some of Muay Thai’s finest technicians elevated Bill’s tactical awareness, heightening his ability to read opponents, control distance, and execute counters with precision.
In December 1993, when Jo Prestia withdrew from a scheduled bout at the prestigious King’s Birthday event in Bangkok, Bill stepped in on short notice to face Den Muangsurin for the IMF World Title. A heavy hitter from the renowned Muangsurin camp, Den entered the fight with 65 wins from 90 bouts, including 25 knockouts.
Den’s power showed early as he dropped Bill with punches, but Bill recovered, using slick counters and footwork to outpoint him over five rounds and claim the IMF World Title in his King’s Birthday debut.
A pivotal moment in Bill’s career came in September 1994, when he defended his IMF World Title against Nokweed Davy in Bangkok. Nokweed was a former three-weight Rajadamnern Stadium champion who had defeated the best of the best in the 1980s but had not fought since losing to Issara Sakgreerin in May 1991.
Nokweed was initially awarded the decision, but just five minutes later, the result was overturned following a riot by gamblers, awarding Bill the victory. The chaotic scenes underscored the unpredictable nature of Muay Thai in Thailand, where the influence of betting can shape the outcome of fights.
Between 1997 and 2000, Bill faced several top Thai opponents in a fruitful yet challenging period—an epoch that defined both his peak and the beginning of his decline.
In February, he faced Thai veteran Nongmoon Chomputong at Le Choc Des Champions in Gagny, France. Fighting in front of an electric French crowd, Bill showcased his signature sweeps and cut kicks, repeatedly off-balancing Nongmoon and controlling the exchanges.
The fight ended in the fourth round when both fighters threw elbows simultaneously—Bill’s right elbow landed first, cutting Nongmoon just below his left eyebrow. The ringside doctor stopped the fight, awarding Bill a TKO victory.
In October 1997, he dropped a split decision to Sakmongkol Sithchuchok in Paris before suffering a unanimous decision loss to Vichan Chorrotchai in Tokyo later that month.
The following month at King of the Ring in Paris, Bill defeated Ramon Dekkers by unanimous decision. At 24, Bill had around 60 fights, while the 28-year-old Dekkers had 160. Though still dangerous, Dekkers had slowed after moving up to 70kg (154 lbs) a couple of years earlier, losing the speed that once made him so lethal. Years of brutal wars had also left him with several injuries from the punishment he had endured.
During this epoch, Bill concluded his two most entertaining rivalries against aggressive pressure fighters—Sangtiennoi Sor Rungroj and Orono Por Muang Ubon—securing key victories over both. He lost to Sangtiennoi in Pattaya in 1996 but avenged the loss with a unanimous decision win at the King’s Birthday event in Bangkok in December 1998, repeatedly sweeping Sangtiennoi’s legs from under him—both mid-knee strike and while stationary.
Against Orono, Bill claimed two unanimous decision wins, first at the King’s Birthday event in 1997 and again in Paris in 1998 where he put on a masterclass in technical fighting.
Bill continued to compete at a high level, stopping Kengkrai Sor Vorapin by TKO in France in May 2000. However, this period marked the beginning of a sharp decline in his career.
Later in 2000, he lost a unanimous decision to Kaolan Kaovichit at the King’s Birthday event. After a long absence, he returned in 2003 at Apocalypse in France against Aurelien Duarte but suffered a tibia fracture in the second round, forcing a stoppage.
Bill made a final comeback in 2006 at the Superleague, securing wins over Moises Baptista de Souza and Roberto Cocco before retiring in 2007 following a loss to Hicham El Gaoui.
Legacy
Despite 15 appearances and major wins at Lumpinee and elsewhere in Thailand, Bill’s technical style and lack of promotional backing meant he never gained the same level of recognition as some of his foreign contemporaries.
His relatively short career likely contributed to his lower profile outside hardcore Muay Thai circles. By 27, struggles with weight management forced him up in divisions, marking the end of his peak years.
While Bill’s victories over elite Thais were undeniable, earning a title shot at Lumpinee required more than one-off wins—it demanded consistently fighting and winning against top competition, month after month. Thai champions faced the best fighters in their division nearly every month, developing a level consistency that no foreigner at the time had truly matched. Still, Bill’s achievements solidify his place among the greatest foreign Muay Thai fighters of all time.
Today, Bill’s legacy is being rediscovered by a new generation of fight fans. While he may have been somewhat overlooked in his era, the internet has preserved his technical genius, allowing him to finally receive the recognition as the greatest foreign muay femur of all time.
