James Tillis

James Tillis (born July 5, 1957) is an American former professional boxer and actor.

Known as "Quick", he was known for his remarkably fast hand speed for a man of his size and build.

A natural southpaw, Tillis turned around to orthodox midway in his amateur career.

His left remained the stronger hand and for that reason, he had a powerful jab and left hook, together with the ability to switch stances while fighting.

"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 at the 1976 National Golden Gloves, and to Charles Singleton at the 1978 National Golden Gloves in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

At the 1977 USA–USSR Duals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he lost on points to the Soviet light heavyweight David Kvachadze.

He also managed to beat future pro contender Renaldo Snipes, who he later turned pro with on the same card in 1978.

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.

(in the words of Hall of Fame's Gil Clancy, Tillis was "one punch" away from victory. ) He holds notable wins over Ron Stander by TKO in the 7th round in 1980, and the hard punching Earnie Shavers by ten-round decision in 1982.

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.

His co-managers were Beau Williford and Gary Bentley.

Tillis challenged for the WBA world heavyweight title in 1981, but was defeated in a fifteen-round unanimous decision fight against Mike Weaver.

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 undefeated contender Pinklon Thomas, who was a late substitute, via an 8th-round knockout loss.

In November 1982, Tillis fought former amateur rival Greg Page for the USBA Heavyweight title.

He knocked Page down in the 2nd round, but again tired and was the victim of another eighth-round knockout loss.

Thomas and Page would go on to win different versions of the world title.

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.

Tillis was the first man to go the distance with Mike Tyson in 1986, breaking his knockout-streak and giving him a relatively close fight, nearly a draw, with two of three judges scoring the fight 6-to-4.

Tillis fought for the last time in 2001 at the age of 44.

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.