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Ringside Report’s Very Own The Fighting Cowboy James “Quick” Tillis Is Being Inducted to the Illinois Boxing Hall of Fame – Breaking Boxing News

TILLIS-WEAVERWEIGHIN-Oct-1981RSR & Illinois Boxing Hall of Fame Press Release

He’s the beloved former boxer who hails from Tulsa, Oklahoma and is known the world over as The Fighting Cowboy James “Quick” Tillis. On October 3, 1981, a 24 year old Tillis faced then WBA Heavyweight Champion Mike Weaver for his title and lost a close unanimous decision. He then would be the first heavyweight, who on May 3, 1986, took a then young and in his prime Mike Tyson the distance dropping a unanimous decision that many at ringside felt he should have gotten.

More recently, a relationship that goes back 36 years when Tillis and the CEO of Ringside Report “Bad” Brad Berkwitt trained together at Allen Park in North Miami Beach, Florida joined forces for his popular web hit show “Quick’s” RSR Video Email Bag Show hosted by The Fuggedaboutit Cowboy that can be seen exclusively on the RSR YouTube Channel.

Berkwitt said, “Quick” and his wife Vanessa, are family to Debbie and I. We both couldn’t be more proud of him on this well deserved honor.

Announcing the 2016 Inductees to the Illinois Boxing Hall Of Fame:

Muhammad Ali – The Greatest! Ali was a resident of Chicago during his most productive professional years and a huge contributor to the local boxing community.

James “Quick” Tillis – The Fighting Cowboy was a four time AAU National Champion and on October 3, 1981, he faced then WBA Heavyweight Champion of the World Mike Weaver, dropping a close unanimous decision. He is also the first heavyweight to take an in his prime Mike Tyson on May 3, 1986 the distance dropping a close unanimous decision that many at ringside felt he should have gotten.

He fought professionally for 22 years and when he retired in 2001, his final record was 42-22-1, 31 KO’s. He started his professional career in Chicago and during his career faced some of the biggest names in the heavyweight division giving boxing fans some great memories.

James Kaulentis – Manager of top boxing talent including James “Quick” Tillis, who fought relentlessly for his fighters

Jesus Chavez – AKA Gabriel Sandoval, “The Matador” was the former IBF World Lightweight Champion and a 44-8 pro.

Johnny Coulon – Undisputed World Bantamweight Champ and owner and head trainer at Chicago’s famous Coulon’s Gym

Sean Curtin – former head of the Illinois Boxing Commission, top official, amateur and pro boxer, and author of two books about Chicago Boxing History.

Rocky DiFazio – Top Middleweight contender who went 19-2-2 and fought all comers

Mike Glienna – One of the top judges in the world, Glienna judged more than 70 WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO World Championship fights and scores of International, Regional, and US State title fights.

Andrew Golota – Olympic Bronze Medalist and a 41-9-1 top contender who fought for the World Heavyweight title four times

Clarence Griffin – Legendary Chicago trainer, owner of the famed Windy City Gym and Chicago and father and trainer of World Light Heavyweight Champion Montel Griffin

Johnny Heard – Chicago-based Light heavyweight who fought many of the world’s best in his 64 fight pro career.

Fred Houpe – Heavy handed heavyweight who fought many of the best of his era on some of the world’s biggest stages.

Primo La Cassa – a 17-5-2 pro, La Cassa went on to become one of the country’s top trainers, training Rocky DiFazio, Lenny LaPaglia, Luke Capuano, Luis Mateo, Joey Adelfio, and many, many others.

Jeff Lanas – Slick 17-4 Middleweight who fought many of the world’s best, including a split decision loss to Roberto Duran

Tony LaRosa – accomplished pro fighter who fought all comers, including many champions and former champions

Vinny Letisia – Hugely popular, hard punching 16-0-1 Super Lightweight with 15 KO’s who tragically died at 21 years old in a motorcycle accident, just as his career was about to take off.

The Fighting O’Shea Brothers – Brian, Mike, Rory, and Tom O’Shea – top amateur and pro competitors and trainers.

Alfonso Ratliff – Former WBO World Cruiserweight Champion with an 25-9 career, whose only losses were to the best of the best.

Genaro Rodriguez – International referee who has worked scores of world championship fights

Barney Ross – Legendary multi division champion ranked as one of the greatest Lightweights and greatest Junior Welterweights of all time as well as a decorated war hero.

Henry Sims – Solid Chicago-based Cruiserweight who fought most of the best in the division and was ducked by many of the rest.

Jim Strickland – Top trainer (World Champion David Diaz and many others) and sought after cutman (Evander Holyfield, Cory Spinks, and many, many more).

See you all Friday November 4 at The Abbington in Glen Ellyn as we read this great class into the Illinois Boxing Hall of Fame. Contact the Hall’s Director, Mike McNamara for tickets at 708-473-0682 or at macveg3@aol.com

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