Endy Semeleer (born 18 November 1995) is a Curaçaoan-Dutch kickboxer who competes in the welterweight division of Glory, where he is the former welterweight champion. Semeleer is the former three-weight Enfusion champion, having held titles at -72.5kg,-75kg and -77kg. He is ranked as the fifth best welterweight in the world by Combat Press as of September 2022,[1] and the fourth best by Beyond Kickboxing as of October 2022.[2] Semeleer has been continually ranked in the Combat Press top ten since January 2018.[3] Semeleer holds notable wins over Jay Overmeer (2X), Murthel Groenhart, Alim Nabiev, Marouan Toutouh (2X), Superbon Banchamek, Diogo Calado, and Mohamed Khamal
Kickboxing career
Early career
In 2016 Endy participated in an eight man King of the Ring tournament.[4] Following a flying knee win over Nicky Lopez and a TKO win over Marcel Verhaar, Semeleer faced Robert Siebenheller in the final match of the tournament. He won the fight by a first round knockout.[5]
Enfusion
Abu Dhabi Tournament
The following year, he was signed with Enfusion. He achieved a four fight winning streak with the organization, with decision wins over Bilal Loukili and Regilio van den Ent, as well as KO wins over Hamed Nabil and Jordan Watson. This earned him a spot in the Enfusion Eight Man Tournament.[6][7] In the quarter-final bout he scored a third round TKO win over Diogo Calado, and in the semi-finals a decision win over Mohamed Khamal. In the finals of the tournament, Endy faced the kickboxing and muay thai legend Superbon Banchamek. Semeleer won the fight by a unanimous decision, winning the tournament and €100 000 in prize money.[8] Combat Press gave this fight their "Upset of the Year" award.[9]
Enfusion 75kg Champion
Semeleer faced Enfusion Aziz Kallah for the vacant 75 kg World title at Enfusion 73 on October 27, 2018.[10] He won the title by unanimous decision.[11][12]
Two months later, Semeleer participated in the Enfusion -72.5 kg tournament, which was held at Enfusion Live 76 on December 7, 2018.[13] Although he won the quarterfinal bout against Marouan Toutouh by unanimous decision, he forced to withdraw due to an injury he suffered during the bout.[14]
Semeleer attempted to become a two weight world champion when he challenged the reigning 72.5 kg champion Tayfun Özcan at Enfusion Live 79 on February 23, 2019. Semeleer suffered the first loss of his professional career, dropping a decision to the Dutch-Turkish fighter.[15]
Semeleer made his first -75 kg title defense against Marouan Toutouh at Enfusion 85 on June 8, 2019. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[16]
Semeleer faced Davide Armanini in a non-title bout at Enfusion 89 on October 26, 2019. He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout.[17]
Double champion
Semeleer once again attempted to capture the 72.5 kg World title at Enfusion 98 on October 3, 2019, as he was booked to face Nordin van Roosmalen.[18] Endy scored an early knockdown in the first round, landing a knee to Nordin's head. He dominated the remaining four rounds as well, and won the fight by a unanimous decision.[19]
Semeleer was booked to face the two-time Dutch kickboxing champion Kevin Hessling on September 11, 2021, at the Enfusion's Nijmegen event.[20] He won the fight by a first-round knockout.[21]
On April 21, 2022, it was announced that Semeleer had signed with Glory.[23] Semeleer was expected to make his debut against Harut Grigorian at Glory Rivals 1 on May 21, 2022.[24] The event was later postponed, as The Lotto Arena announced that their cooperation with the Antwerp Fight Organisation had been terminated due to various administrative reasons.[25]
Semeleer was expected to face Robin Ciric in the main event of Glory Rivals 2 on July 25, 2022.[26] Ciric withdrew from the fight in August 29, after contracting COVID-19, and was replaced by Shkodran Veseli.[27] Semeleer won the fight by third-round knockout.[28]
Welterweight champion
Semeleer faced the second-ranked Glory welterweight contender Alim Nabiev for the vacant Glory Welterweight Championship at Glory 82 on November 19, 2022.[29] He won the fight by split decision, with three judges scoring the bout 48–47 in his favor, while the remaining two judges scored it 49–46 and 48–47 for Nabiev.[30]
Semeleer made his first welterweight title defense against Murthel Groenhart at Glory 85 on April 29, 2023.[31] He retained the title by unanimous decision, after knocking Groenhart down several times, with all five judges awarding him a 50–42 scorecard.[32][33]
Semeleer made his second title defense against the #1 ranked Glory welterweight contender Jay Overmeer at Glory: Collision 5 on June 17, 2023.[34] He retained the title by unanimous decision.[35]
