Name | James Tillis |
---|
Realname | James Theodore Tillis |
---|
Nickname | Quick, The Fighting Cowboy |
---|
Height | |
---|
Weight | Heavyweight |
---|
Nationality | American |
---|
Birth date | July 05, 1957 |
---|
Birth place | Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA |
---|
Home | Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA |
---|
Style | Orthodox |
---|
Total | 65 |
---|
Wins | 42 |
---|
Losses | 22 |
---|
Draws | 1 |
---|
Ko | 31
}} |
---|
James Tillis (born July 5, 1957) is an American prizefighter, nicknamed "Quick".
Personal
A native of
Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tillis grew up in a broken family with an alcoholic father and a deeply religious mother. He dreamed about being a professional
boxer after he listened to the 1964 bout between
Muhammad Ali and
Sonny Liston.He enlisted the help of noted trainer Ed Duncan. Tillis had an amateur record of 92-8, which 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 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 over the "Omaha Butcher"
Ron Stander. Stander had fought
Joe Frazier 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 but 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, where 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 water 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 ran out of gas and was outpointed. A few months later he travelled to South Africa to fight hard-hitting ex-champ Gerrie Coetzee. Tillis was outpointed but sent Coetzee to hospital with stitches and missing teeth.
Stamina issue
After extensive medical examination, it was discovered the reasons for Tillis' strange recurrent fatigue midway through fights was 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, who was 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 champ a very tough fight. Although ultimately outclassed, he was the first person ever to take Iron Mike the distance.
The new Tillis was short-lived however, as he travelled to Australia and lost a close 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 beat an exhausted Tillis. Later in the same year he was busted up and stopped in five rounds by future champ Frank Bruno in London, and 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, 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 knocked him out in one round. His record was a mediocre 39-18-1.
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
|-
|align="center" colspan=8|
42 Wins (31 knockouts, 11 decisions),
22 Losses (11 knockouts, 11 decisions),
1 Draw,
1 No Contest
|-
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|
Result
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|
Record
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|
Opponent
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|
Type
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|
Round
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|
Date
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|
Location
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|
Notes
|-align=center
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Rob Calloway
|TKO
|9
|13/04/2001
|align=left|
Saint Joseph Civic Center,
Saint Joseph, Missouri,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Tim "Hebrew Hammer" Puller
|UD
|10
|16/10/1999
|align=left|
Issaquah, Washington,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Cliff Couser
|TKO
|6
|30/08/1996
|align=left|
Quay Centennial Building,
Vancouver, Washington,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Craig Payne
|UD
|8
|21/06/1996
|align=left|
Quay Centennial Building,
Vancouver, Washington,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|No Contest
|
|align=left|
Will "Hammer" Hinton
|NC
|3
|07/12/1995
|align=left|
Denver, Colorado,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Alexander Zolkin
|UD
|10
|08/10/1995
|align=left|
Columbus, Ohio,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Stan White Johnson
|TKO
|3
|28/02/1992
|align=left|
Union Hall, Countryside,
Countryside, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Danny Blake
|SD
|10
|22/11/1991
|align=left|
Peoria, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Tommy Morrison
|TKO
|1
|11/01/1991
|align=left|
Trump Taj Mahal,
Atlantic City, New Jersey,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Carlton West
|TKO
|3
|07/12/1990
|align=left|
Valley Sports Arena,
Roanoke, Virginia,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Adilson Rodrigues
|UD
|10
|20/03/1989
|align=left|
Toledo, Parana,
Brazil
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Arthel "Bam Bam" Lawhorne
|UD
|10
|14/01/1989
|align=left|
The Palace of Auburn Hills,
Auburn Hills, Michigan,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Gary Mason
|TKO
|5
|30/11/1988
|align=left|
Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre,
Southwark,
United Kingdom
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Evander Holyfield
|RTD
|5
|16/07/1988
|align=left|
Caesars Tahoe,
Stateline, Nevada,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Rodney "Hot Rod" Smith
|KO
|2
|09/04/1988
|align=left|
Caesars Palace,
Las Vegas, Nevada,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Dennis "The Menace" Jackson
|KO
|5
|16/10/1987
|align=left|
Boardwalk Hall,
Atlantic City, New Jersey,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Johnny DuPlooy
|TKO
|10
|23/06/1987
|align=left|
Ellis Park Indoor Arena,
Johannesburg, Gauteng,
South Africa
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Frank Bruno
|TKO
|5
|24/03/1987
|align=left|
Wembley Arena,
Wembley, London,
United Kingdom
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Ronnie Douglas
|TKO
|5
|06/03/1987
|align=left|
Fort Smith, Arkansas,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
"Mercury" Mike Williams
|TKO
|8
|08/01/1987
|align=left|
Marriot Brookhollow,
Houston, Texas,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Draw
|
|align=left|
Avery Rawls
|PTS
|10
|11/11/1986
|align=left|
Showboat Hotel and Casino,
Las Vegas, Nevada,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Lorenzo Boyd
|KO
|3
|28/10/1986
|align=left|
Station Square,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
"Fast" Eddie Richardson
|PTS
|10
|18/10/1986
|align=left|
Mesquite, Texas,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Joe Bugner
|PTS
|10
|15/09/1986
|align=left|
Sydney Entertainment Centre,
Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Art Terry
|UD
|8
|29/07/1986
|align=left|
Continental Inn,
Lexington, Kentucky,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Mark "The Storm" Young
|KO
|8
|17/06/1986
|align=left|
Tulsa, Oklahoma,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Mike Tyson
|UD
|10
|03/05/1986
|align=left|
Glens Falls Civic Center,
Glens Falls, New York,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Tyrell Biggs
|UD
|8
|25/01/1986
|align=left|
Americana Host Farm,
Lancaster, Pennsylvania,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Gerrie Coetzee
|UD
|10
|07/09/1985
|align=left|
Ellis Park Stadium,
Johannesburg, Gauteng,
South Africa
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Marvis Frazier
|UD
|10
|20/05/1985
|align=left|
Lawlor Events Center,
Reno, Nevada,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Bashir Wadud
|UD
|10
|15/12/1984
|align=left|
Genesee Theatre,
Waukegan, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Carl (The Truth) Williams
|UD
|10
|23/10/1984
|align=left|
Atlantis Hotel and Casino,
Atlantic City, New Jersey,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Michael "Arc Angel" Bennett
|KO
|1
|20/08/1984
|align=left|
Miami, Oklahoma,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Billy Joe Thomas
|KO
|3
|10/07/1984
|align=left|
Tulsa, Oklahoma,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Bobby Crabtree
|KO
|3
|26/04/1984
|align=left|
Excelsior Hotel,
Tulsa, Oklahoma,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Otis Bates
|KO
|2
|09/02/1984
|align=left|
Tulsa, Oklahoma,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Tim Witherspoon
|TKO
|1
|23/09/1983
|align=left|
Richfield Coliseum,
Richfield, Ohio,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Lynwood Jones
|KO
|4
|09/07/1983
|align=left|
DiVinci Manor,
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Larry Givens
|TKO
|2
|22/05/1983
|align=left|
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Grady Daniels
|TKO
|4
|25/04/1983
|align=left|
Congress Americana Hotel,
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Leroy Boone
|PTS
|10
|28/03/1983
|align=left|
Congress Americana Hotel,
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Greg Page
|TKO
|8
|26/11/1982
|align=left|
Astrodome,
Houston, Texas,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Pinklon Thomas
|TKO
|8
|14/08/1982
|align=left|
Stouffers Ballroom,
Cleveland, Ohio,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Earnie Shavers
|UD
|10
|11/06/1982
|align=left|
Caesars Palace,
Las Vegas, Nevada,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
"Tom and" Jerry Williams
|KO
|3
|13/03/1982
|align=left|
Sands Hotel,
Las Vegas, Nevada,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Loss
|
|align=left|
Mike "Hercules" Weaver
|UD
|15
|03/10/1981
|align=left|
Rosemont Horizon,
Rosemont, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Tom Fischer
|PTS
|10
|09/03/1981
|align=left|
Hilton Chicago,
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Domingo D'Elia
|TKO
|4
|13/11/1980
|align=left|
International Amphitheatre,
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Mike Koranicki
|UD
|10
|14/08/1980
|align=left|
International Amphitheatre,
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Eric Sedillo
|TKO
|4
|12/06/1980
|align=left|
Hilton Chicago,
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Walter Santemore
|UD
|10
|15/05/1980
|align=left|
Aragon Ballroom (Chicago),
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Frank Schram
|TKO
|2
|17/04/1980
|align=left|
Aragon Ballroom (Chicago),
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Ron Stander
|TKO
|7
|03/03/1980
|align=left|
International Amphitheatre,
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Roy Wallace
|UD
|10
|01/02/1980
|align=left|
International Amphitheatre,
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
"Memphis" Al Jones
|KO
|4
|13/12/1979
|align=left|
Tulsa Civic Center,
Tulsa, Oklahoma,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Harry Terrell
|KO
|1
|20/11/1979
|align=left|
Circle Arena,
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Bob Whaley
|TKO
|1
|19/10/1979
|align=left|
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Jimmy "Old Rugged" Cross
|TKO
|2
|07/09/1979
|align=left|
Circle Arena,
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Charles Anderson Atlas
|TKO
|2
|30/07/1979
|align=left|
International Amphitheatre,
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Henry "Cole" Porter
|TKO
|6
|20/07/1979
|align=left|
University of Illinois at Chicago,
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
George Gofarth
|TKO
|5
|11/06/1979
|align=left|
Aragon Ballroom (Chicago),
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Rocky "Mister Ed" Lane
|KO
|1
|31/03/1979
|align=left|
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Sylvester Wilder
|TKO
|3
|28/02/1979
|align=left|
DePaul University,
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Dave "The Knave" Watkins
|KO
|1
|02/02/1979
|align=left|
Aragon Ballroom (Chicago),
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Al "Tiger" Bell
|TKO
|1
|15/12/1978
|align=left|
Aragon Ballroom (Chicago),
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|-
|Win
|
|align=left|
Ron Stephany
|KO
|1
|18/11/1978
|align=left|
Alumni Hall (DePaul University),
Chicago, Illinois,
United States
|align=left|
|}
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” “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. http://www.catboxentertainment.com/catboxaward.html
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.http://www.tulsabeacon.com/?p=3684
As of 2010 Tillis is living in Tulsa.
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 is married to Vanessa Williams-Tillis and [as of 2011] lives in La Luz, New Mexico. He primarily enjoys, "serving The Lord Jesus Christ, Cowboying and volunteering with amateur boxing clubs.
A film adaptation of his autobiography,["Thinkin' Big: The Story of James "Quick" Tillis- The Fightin' Cowboy], is in pre-production.
References
2.http://www.catboxentertainment.com/catboxaward.html
3.http://www.tulsabeacon.com/?p=3684
4.http://www.ringsideboxingshow.com/RingsideBoxingShowPage.html
5.http://www.powerpunchers.net/WEBPROTECT%2Dfighterinterviews.htm
6.http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jay-reelz
7.http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=7622&more;=1
8.http://poststar.com/sports/article_3d5b9d82-ad9a-11df-963b-001cc4c002e0.html
9.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zUaaek6ZD4
10.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXxnmaX4FAo
11.http://www.boxingscene.com/james-quick-tillis-memories-near-miss-kid--32419
12.http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-386241.html
13.http://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Quick-Tillis/143095909059201?sk=wall&filter;=12
14.http://www.amazon.com/Thinkin-Big-Tillis-Fightin-Cowboy/dp/1550224301
15.http://www.talkinboxing.com/PODCASTS.htmL
16.www.greecepost.com/sports/x1499150963/Boxing-Hall-of-Fa..
17.www.penfieldpost.com/sports/x609832635/Boxing-Hall-of-F...
18.http://thesecondimpact.com/uploads/boxing_hof_press_release.pdf
19.http://www.tulsabeacon.com/?p=3684
20.http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/article.aspx?subjectid=29&articleid;=20111113_29_B10_CUTLIN155558
21.http://www.sportofboxing.com/a-comparison-of-master-plans-david-haye-vs-james-quick-tillis/
22.http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/18973998
External links
Category:1957 births
Category:Living people
Category:Boxers from Oklahoma
Category:People from Tulsa, Oklahoma
de:James Tillis
ja:ジェームス・ティリス
sv:James Tillis
tag;
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thinkin-Big-The-Story-of-James-Quick-Tillis-The-Fightin-Cowboy/166739233396662
tag;
http://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Quick-Tillis/143095909059201