James Tillis

James Tillis
James "Quick" Tillis- The Fighting Cowboy
Statistics
Real name	James Theodore Tillis
Nickname(s)	Quick The Fighting Cowboy
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Reach	80 in (203 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	(1957-07-05) July 5, 1957 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	65
Wins	42
Wins by KO	31
Losses	22
Draws	1
No contests	0
Website	http://www.jamesquicktillis.com

James Tillis (born July 5, 1957) is a former professional boxer. Known as "Quick", he was known for his fast hand speed. Tillis challenged for the WBA world heavyweight title in 1981, but was defeated by fifteen round unanimous decision to Mike Weaver. Tillis was the first man to go the distance with a prime Mike Tyson in 1986. He holds notable wins over Ron Stander by TKO 7 in 1980, and the hard punching Earnie Shavers by ten round decision in 1982. Tillis fought for the last time in 2001 at the age of 44.

Personal

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, he was the firstborn son of James Tillis and wife Rose. Tillis attended Mclain High School and grew up in a very religious southern family, with an alcoholic father and a deeply religious mother. His mother would later join First Baptist Mohawk Church under the leadership of Pastor Clint Simmons. He dreamed about being a professional prize fighter and was given the nickname "Quick" by his first cousin Keith Reed. "Quick" was influenced to begin training to become a boxer after he listened to the 1964 bout between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston on the radio. He enlisted the help of noted trainer Ed Duncan, by becoming involved in the sport at the O'Brien Park recreation center in north Tulsa. Tillis' amateur record of 92-8 led to his being considered for the United States Olympic team. Due to an illness, he was unable to compete in the Olympic trials.

However, his impressive amateur career included three state Golden Gloves and four state AAU titles. He lost to future pro opponent Greg Page in the 1976 National Golden Gloves. He also managed to beat future pro contender Renaldo Snipes, who he later turned pro with on the same card in 1978.

Pro boxing career

Tillis began his professional boxing career in 1978, with a first-round knockout of Ron Stephany. He won his first 20 fights with 16 knockouts. One of his most impressive early victories was a seventh-round knockout of Ron Stander in 1980. Stander had once challenged Joe Frazier for the world title and was regarded as one of boxing's most durable fighters. Other notable wins included a knockout of the South American champion Domingo D'Elia, and a points win over the sometimes dangerous fringe contender Mike Koranicki.

Title fight

In 1981, Tillis fought "Hercules" Mike Weaver for the WBA World Heavyweight title. After a strong start, Tillis tired. The fight would become famous for trainer Angelo Dundee imploring Tillis to do something, asking the fighter, "Do you want to be a bum all your life?" Ultimately, Tillis lost a close points decision.

In June 1982, Tillis came off the floor to outpoint the hard-hitting legend Earnie Shavers. He blew that momentum only a few months later, being upset by late substitute (and future world champion) Pinklon Thomas. In November 1982, Tillis fought former amateur rival Greg Page for the USBA Heavyweight title. He knocked Page down, but again tired and was the victim of an eighth-round knockout loss. Page would go on to win the world title.

Downward spiral

Having scored four wins, Tillis challenged future two-time world champion Tim Witherspoon in September 1983, for the vacant North American Boxing Federation title. Tillis was shockingly bombed out in one round, apparently slipping on a wet spot in the ring as Witherspoon hit him. After the fight, Tillis' trainer Angelo Dundee left him and advised him to retire, as he had just suffered his third defeat in thirteen months.

Tillis got a new team and put together four wins in 1984, before challenging Carl Williams in a world title eliminator. Having decked Williams twice in the opening round, Tillis tired and was outpointed. In 1985, under the guidance of trainer Drew Bundini Brown, he fought Joe Frazier's son and top contender Marvis Frazier. In a recurring theme, he had Frazier down in the second round, but again ran out of gas and was outpointed. A few months later, he traveled to South Africa to fight hard-hitting ex-champ Gerrie Coetzee. Tillis lost a unanimous decision, but sent Coetzee to hospital with stitches and missing teeth.

Stamina issue

After extensive medical examination, Tillis' strange recurrent fatigue midway through fights was found to derive from a severe allergy to the classic fighter's diet of milk and eggs. A doctor provided Tillis with a more suitable diet, in the training for his upcoming fight with Mike Tyson, a red-hot prospect with a 19-0 (19 knockouts) record. Tillis appeared to be a new man, as he exchanged with Tyson and gave the future two-time champion a very tough fight. Although ultimately outpointed, he was the first person ever to take Iron Mike the distance.

The new Tillis was short-lived however, as he traveled to Australia and lost a decision to veteran Joe Bugner. In 1987 he was upset in eight rounds, as underdog (and regular Tyson sparring partner) Michael Williams came off the floor to stop Tillis. Later in the same year, he was stopped in five rounds on cuts by future champ Frank Bruno in London, and then knocked out in 10 rounds by hard-hitting Johnny DuPlooy in South Africa.

Having failed to secure a rematch with Tyson in 1988, this time for the undisputed heavyweight championship, he made one last attempt at the big time. Tillis was brought in to fight reigning cruiserweight world champion Evander Holyfield, who was making a high-profile move into the heavyweight ranks. Holyfield punched out Tillis in five one-sided rounds.

Tillis resurfaced in 1991. However, his days even as a journeyman appeared over, as hard-hitting (and future WBO World Champion) Tommy Morrison stopped him out in one round.

Semi-retirement

Tillis fought on and off until 2001. Although he still was able to outpoint former top-flight amateur Craig Payne, a 39-year-old Tillis was stopped in six rounds by Cliff Couser in 1996.

Tillis fought his last fight in 2001, losing to clubfighter Rob Calloway when he was 44 years old.

Professional boxing record

42 Wins (31 knockouts, 11 decisions), 22 Losses (11 knockouts, 11 decisions), 1 Draw, 1 No Contest
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	42-22-1-(1)	Rob Calloway	TKO	9	13/04/2001	Saint Joseph Civic Center, Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 2:59 of the ninth round.
Loss	42-21-1-(1)	Tim "Hebrew Hammer" Puller	UD	10	16/10/1999	Issaquah, Washington, United States	98-92, 99-91, 98-92.
Loss	42-20-1-(1)	Cliff Couser	TKO	6	30/08/1996	Quay Centennial Building, Vancouver, Washington, United States
Win	42-19-1-(1)	Craig Payne	UD	8	21/06/1996	Quay Centennial Building, Vancouver, Washington, United States
NC	41-19-1-(1)	Will "Hammer" Hinton	NC	3	07/12/1995	Denver, Colorado, United States
Loss	41-19-1	Alexander Zolkin	UD	10	08/10/1995	Columbus, Ohio, United States	88-100, 89-100, 89-99.
Win	41-18-1	Stan White Johnson	TKO	3	28/02/1992	Union Hall, Countryside, Countryside, Illinois, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 2:20 of the third round.
Win	40-18-1	Danny Blake	SD	10	22/11/1991	Peoria, Illinois, United States
Loss	39-18-1	Tommy Morrison	TKO	1	11/01/1991	Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 1:51 of the first round.
Win	39-17-1	Carlton West	TKO	3	07/12/1990	Valley Sports Arena, Roanoke, Virginia, United States
Loss	38-17-1	Adilson Rodrigues	UD	10	20/03/1989	Toledo, Parana, Brazil	89-99, 91-99, 91-99.
Loss	38-16-1	Arthel "Bam Bam" Lawhorne	UD	10	14/01/1989	The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Loss	38-15-1	Gary Mason	TKO	5	30/11/1988	Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, Southwark, United Kingdom	Referee stopped the bout at 1:50 of the fifth round.
Loss	38-14-1	Evander Holyfield	RTD	5	16/07/1988	Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, United States	Tillis retired at 3:00 of the fifth round.
Win	38-13-1	Rodney "Hot Rod" Smith	KO	2	09/04/1988	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	37-13-1	Dennis "The Menace" Jackson	KO	5	16/10/1987	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Jackson knocked out at 0:50 of the fifth round.
Loss	36-13-1	Johnny DuPlooy	TKO	10	23/06/1987	Ellis Park Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
Loss	36-12-1	Frank Bruno	TKO	5	24/03/1987	Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom	Referee stopped the bout at 1:57 of the fifth round.
Win	36-11-1	Ronnie Douglas	TKO	5	06/03/1987	Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States
Loss	35-11-1	"Mercury" Mike Williams	TKO	8	08/01/1987	Marriott Brookhollow, Houston, Texas, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 2:48 of the eighth round.
Draw	35-10-1	Avery Rawls	PTS	10	11/11/1986	Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	97-94, 95-95, 95-95.
Win	35-10	Lorenzo Boyd	KO	3	28/10/1986	Station Square, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Win	34-10	"Fast" Eddie Richardson	PTS	10	18/10/1986	Mesquite, Texas, United States
Loss	33-10	Joe Bugner	PTS	10	15/09/1986	Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	93-99 92-98 95-97
Win	33-9	Art Terry	UD	8	29/07/1986	Continental Inn, Lexington, Kentucky, United States	80-70, 80-70, 80-72.
Win	32-9	Mark "The Storm" Young	KO	8	17/06/1986	Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Loss	31-9	Mike Tyson	UD	10	03/05/1986	Glens Falls Civic Center, Glens Falls, New York, United States	4-6, 4-6, 2-8.
Loss	31-8	Tyrell Biggs	UD	8	25/01/1986	Americana Host Farm, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States	33-39, 33-39, 34-39.
Loss	31-7	Gerrie Coetzee	UD	10	07/09/1985	Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa	93-99, 94-99.
Loss	31-6	Marvis Frazier	UD	10	20/05/1985	Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, United States	91-98, 92-96, 91-97.
Win	31-5	Bashir Wadud	UD	10	15/12/1984	Genesee Theatre, Waukegan, Illinois, United States	100-90, 100-90, 100-90.
Loss	30-5	Carl (The Truth) Williams	UD	10	23/10/1984	Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	2-8, 3-7, 1-9.
Win	30-4	Michael "Arc Angel" Bennett	KO	1	20/08/1984	Miami, Oklahoma, United States
Win	29-4	Billy Joe Thomas	KO	3	10/07/1984	Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win	28-4	Bobby Crabtree	KO	3	26/04/1984	Excelsior Hotel, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win	27-4	Otis Bates	KO	2	09/02/1984	Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Loss	26-4	Tim Witherspoon	TKO	1	23/09/1983	Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, Ohio, United States	NABF Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:16 of the first round.
Win	26-3	Lynwood Jones	KO	4	09/07/1983	DiVinci Manor, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	25-3	Larry Givens	TKO	2	22/05/1983	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	24-3	Grady Daniels	TKO	4	25/04/1983	Congress Americana Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	23-3	Leroy Boone	PTS	10	28/03/1983	Congress Americana Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss	22-3	Greg Page	TKO	8	26/11/1982	Astrodome, Houston, Texas, United States	IBF USBA Heavyweight Title.
Loss	22-2	Pinklon Thomas	TKO	8	14/08/1982	Stouffer's Ballroom, Cleveland, Ohio, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 0:58 of the eighth round.
Win	22-1	Earnie Shavers	UD	10	11/06/1982	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	96-92, 97-91, 96-92.
Win	21-1	"Tom and" Jerry Williams	KO	3	13/03/1982	Sands Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss	20-1	Mike "Hercules" Weaver	UD	15	03/10/1981	Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, United States	WBA World Heavyweight Title. 142-146, 143-145, 142-147.
Win	20-0	Tom Fischer	PTS	10	09/03/1981	Hilton Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	19-0	Domingo D'Elia	TKO	4	13/11/1980	International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 1:40 of the fourth round.
Win	18-0	Mike Koranicki	UD	10	14/08/1980	International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	17-0	Eric Sedillo	TKO	4	12/06/1980	Hilton Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	16-0	Walter Santemore	UD	10	15/05/1980	Aragon Ballroom (Chicago), Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	15-0	Frank Schram	TKO	2	17/04/1980	Aragon Ballroom (Chicago), Chicago, Illinois, United States	Referee stopped the bout at 1:54 of the second round.
Win	14-0	Ron Stander	TKO	7	03/03/1980	International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, United States	Stander did not come out of his corner for the eighth round.
Win	13-0	Roy Wallace	UD	10	01/02/1980	International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	12-0	"Memphis" Al Jones	KO	4	13/12/1979	Tulsa Civic Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win	11-0	Harry Terrell	KO	1	20/11/1979	Circle Arena, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	10-0	Bob Whaley	TKO	1	19/10/1979	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	9-0	Jimmy "Old Rugged" Cross	TKO	2	07/09/1979	Circle Arena, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	8-0	Charles Anderson Atlas	TKO	2	30/07/1979	International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	7-0	Henry "Cole" Porter	TKO	6	20/07/1979	University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	6-0	George Gofarth	TKO	5	11/06/1979	Aragon Ballroom (Chicago), Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	5-0	Rocky "Mister Ed" Lane	KO	1	31/03/1979	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	4-0	Sylvester Wilder	TKO	3	28/02/1979	DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	3-0	Dave "The Knave" Watkins	KO	1	02/02/1979	Aragon Ballroom (Chicago), Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	2-0	Al "Tiger" Bell	TKO	1	15/12/1978	Aragon Ballroom (Chicago), Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	1-0	Ron Stephany	KO	1	18/11/1978	Alumni Hall (DePaul University), Chicago, Illinois, United States

Life after boxing

In retirement he wrote an autobiography, Thinkin Big: The Story of James Quick Tillis, the Fightin' Cowboy.

James Tillis received catBOX Entertainment, Inc.’s Lifetime Sports Achievement Award. Tillis, whose fighting prowess named him “quick” and “the fighting cowboy”, was honored with the catBOX Entertainment, Inc.’s Lifetime Sports Achievement Award, before the main event at catBOX’s professional fight card set for February 11, 2010 at Remington Park Casino in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.^[1]

On Feb. 12, 2010, the State of Oklahoma honored one of its favorite sons, James “Quick” Tillis of Tulsa. Gov. Brad Henry signed a declaration making Feb. 12 James “Quick” Tillis Day in Oklahoma.^[2]

As of 2010 Tillis is living in Tulsa.^[3]

His daughter Iciss played basketball at Duke University as a center, and was on the United States National Team for the 2003 Pan American Games. Iciss was later selected in the first round by the Detroit Shock during 2004 WNBA Draft. She later played for the New York Liberty in 2006.

Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame induction

On November 5, 2011, James "Quick" Tillis was Inducted into the Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame, receiving the "John Mastrella Integrity Award".

Tillis places the priorities in his life as "Serving The Lord Jesus Christ, Cowboy-ing and volunteering with amateur boxing clubs".

Bringing to fruition film adaptation of his autobiography, Thinkin Big: The Story of James Quick Tillis, the Fightin' Cowboy, is his pet project.

References

↑ http://www.catboxentertainment.com/catboxaward.html
↑ http://www.tulsabeacon.com/?p=3684
↑ Adam Wisneski, "Then and Now: Boxer 'Quick' Tillis sees fortune, fame knocked out as fast as they came", Tulsa World, August 8, 2010.

External links

Professional boxing record for James Tillis from BoxRec

Authority control	WorldCat Identities VIAF: 29032144 LCCN: nb99166847

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