Not To Be Forgotten, Vol. 1: James “Quick” Tillis

Article & Exclusive Interview by Ian “The Boxing Historian” Murphy

*NOTE: This series highlights the fighters that have been out of the public eye, but deserve more recognition for their contributions to boxing.

Someone once said “James “Quick” Tillis. If you don’t know his name, you don’t know boxing”. Tillis climbed up the heavyweight ladder the hard way in an era when men still fought 15 round title fights. An era where being a contender meant something. In the late 1970s into the 1980s, the heavyweight division was full of tough, hungry and skilled fighters. Many of the stars of the division’s 1970s heyday were still active. Champions and former champs like Larry “The Easton Assassin” Holmes, Leon Spinks and Ken Norton were still around taking care of business. Title belt holders like “Big” John Tate, Mike ‘Hercules” Weaver, “Terrible” Tim Witherspoon, Pinklon “Pinky” Thomas and Trevor Berbick were battling for the big one with recognized champion Larry Holmes. There were also top contenders like Earnie “The Acorn” Shavers, “Gentlemen” Gerry Cooney, and a man who came so close to owning a piece of the Heavyweight title: James “Quick” Tillis. And Tillis fought nearly all of them.

In the 1980s, to be any heavyweight of note, to even be considered worthy of a title shot, you had to go through James “Quick” Tillis. He was a tough match up for many would be contenders, a man who could extend and test an up and comer. Tillis was not called “Quick” for no reason. The man could move, box you out of your shoes and make you pay with a hard right. He had over 20 losses in his career, but the level of his competition is legendary. Out of his 22 career losses, 9 came against men who held at least a portion of the Heavyweight title. Many of the others were later on in a career that extended into his 40’s. This level of competition is almost unheard of today. If a prime Tillis was competing today, he would be a very tough out for anyone holding the belt, including Wladimir Klitschko.

His slick boxing style would be very effective against these plodding, cumbersome heavyweights, who are not accustomed to a fighter of some size being fleet of foot and hand. There is also no heavyweight competing today that could punch with “Iron” Mike Tyson or Earnie Shavers, so you cannot say they would all be too big and powerful for the 6’1 210lb Tillis. It also didn’t hurt that “Quick” had an all-time great trainer in Angelo Dundee, who also trained someone named Muhammad Ali.

What many people don’t know about James “Quick” Tillis is why he had stamina problems in his biggest fights while in the prime of his career. He had terrible food allergies that were harming his conditioning. It was cleared up by dietary changes. I personally believe had this issue been addressed earlier, his entire career arc may have been different. Many feel he was ahead in his October 1981 WBA Heavyweight title fight with Mike Weaver when inexplicably, his stamina crashed. Had his conditioning held up, he would have been the WBA champion and in the front of the line to fight recognized Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes. I am not saying with full confidence that Tillis would have beaten Holmes, but it would have been a great fight (and a great payday!).

On a personal level, Tillis’ story is equal parts hilarious, uplifting, and heartbreaking. He was (like many fighters) abused and mistreated by greedy management and had a difficult upbringing. James wound up broke after a seemingly lucrative ring career. Yet, despite the hardships, the “Fightin Cowboy” kept moving forward with tenacity and humor. I have never met him in person, but I have spoken with people who have and they universally say he is a Class Act and that his light-heartedness and humor are infectious. My discussions with him show an insightful, positive man who is grateful for what he has and proud of his accomplishments in and out of the ring.

As a special treat addition to this piece, the man himself has agreed to answer a few questions…

First off, what have you been up to recently?

I have been working with a few Amateur Fighters through my Boxing Clinic and doing autographs in and around Vegas. Still serving God, riding, and roping! I was also recently cast for a part in a new western (for television) called, “Big Sky”. My character will be “Peter Hawkins” in tribute to my Great Grandfather (who is responsible for the “Cowboy” in my blood). Big Sky is set in the 19th Century and will be a classic western epic that the whole family can watch together with a Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie feel to it.

While family oriented, gritty scenes, scenes of death and fights that are a little graphic will add reality to the series. Loaded with plot twists and cliffhangers, every exciting episode will leave the viewing audience sitting on the edge of their seats waiting till next week’s show. Big Sky is assembling a huge cast (now at 300) that is working together as one big family including several A-List actors that I’m not at liberty to name yet. The cast consists of Native American Actors portraying traditional and non-traditional roles, and includes American Veterans, some Retired, Reserve and Disabled, and every ethnic background that contributed to the settling of our country. The National Tour will be in Las Vegas 6/19/2015 promoting it, so look to hear more.
Here are some links that will tell you all the details:
http://www.bigskytvshow.com/home
https://www.facebook.com/bigskythetvshow

Speaking of acting roles, could you tell us a bit about your experiences on the set of “The Color Purple”?

It was great meeting Whoopi (Goldberg) and Danny (Glover). Danny told me: “Quick, I’m gonna come down to Tulsa and get all your women (only he used another word!). Since I played Oprah’s boyfriend Buster, we had a lot of time together. I don’t mind saying that after many takes during that scene where she sits on my knee that my leg was numb. Those seats were 1922 style (no cushions) and that was a lot of weight!

Moving back to boxing, you gave a young and hungry Mike Tyson a real tough fight early in his career. You were the first to take him then distance when he was just mowing people down. Many fans feel that the fight should have at least been a draw, and some think you might have gotten the nod via close decision. What were your thoughts on facing a young, but untested Mike Tyson?

Regarding Decision (L10) on May 3, 1986- Thanks. I’ve heard that said many, many times about the outcome. I would have been satisfied with the promised rematch, but that never happened. His people did allow him to spend 4 rounds with me in an Exhibition Bout in Chicago for Father Clemon’s Boy’s Home.
Regarding Actual Fight- I knew that he couldn’t box and move. I had fought other guys with the same problem. I knew they were building him up to be the youngest HW Champion in the record books. There was a lot of hype going around that caused a lot of fighters who faced MT to step into the ring intimidated and scared. I didn’t buy into the hype. So, all through training and when I stepped into the ring, my mindset was: “This boy ain’t got nothing for me”. Every fighter has to go in with the attitude that “I am gonna kick your ass”. Plus I had found out what was plaguing my entire career up to that point. Specifically it was food allergies that made me short of breath and fatigued mid-fight. I changed my diet and I was more than ready for Tyson.

You fought literally every heavyweight of note in the 1980s. You mentioned in another interview that you’d like to have fought Gerry Cooney. How would you approach this fight? How would you beat Cooney?

I would have been real aggressive, taking it right to him.

Do you follow the HW division nowadays? How do you think you’d fare against the real big boys that live there now?

I follow it, and I’m somewhat impressed with Wilder, but I still believe (in my prime) I would have out-boxed and out-moved anyone out there today, especially the remaining Klitschko. The key is to not stand in front of him waiting to get chopped. Be first, hit and move.

If there was one thing you could change about boxing currently, what would it be?

Championship fights would go back to 15 rounds. All the chatter going around about G.O.A.T (in whichever weight class) would be solidly backed up and confirmed. The 13th, 14th and 15th rounds are “No Man’s Land”. Also, there would be a Fighters Union governed just as in the NFL & NBA to protect and assure the fighters well being.

Is there anything you’d like to say to set the record straight in regards to your life and career?

In 2001, my book, “Thinkin’ Big: The Story of James “Quick” Tillis, The Fightin’ Cowboy” was published. I pretty much set the record straight, as I knew it, to that point. I had a great career and I loved every minute. I wouldn’t change anything, except wishing I had been a lot smarter.

The good news is, it ain’t over yet! I’m continually being blessed, setting and achieving new goals. I’ve got the best woman I have ever had in my wife Vanessa. I’ve known her since 1985, when she use to run around in the parking lot so I could practice my roping on her… Little did I know, I was roping her for life!

“Quick” has a great website where you can pick up a copy of his book and get it personally signed Tell him Ringside Report sent you.

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