30 Years Ago Today: Top Ranked Heavyweight & Former Heavyweight Title Challenger James “Quick” Tillis Takes an In His Prime Mike Tyson the Distance for the First Time in his Boxing Career

By “Bad” Brad Berkwitt

The 1980’s had so many exciting heavyweights and one of those for sure was “The Fighting Cowboy” James “Quick” Tillis. On October 3, 1981, when he was a highly ranked heavyweight in the WBA he faced then champion, Mike Weaver for his title. In a fight that was close, he would lose on points. In subsequent years, he faced a who’s who of heavyweights, but none was bigger than Mike Tyson. On May 3, 1986, on ABC Sports shooting in upstate New York, “Quick” came into hostile territory and put on a boxing clinic against the young and then, undefeated Tyson, who had won all of his fights via KO.

Not on this day. The KO streak was broken and a boxing clinic had been administered. The fight went the 10 round distance and Tyson was awarded a unanimous decision which to this day, many boxing pundits feel it could have gone to “Quick” or been a draw. I scored the fight recently, and had it 6-4 for Tyson, but being ringside, could have easily had me scoring it differently.

For “Quick” fans and Tyson fans as well, you can read more about this big fight in the boxing book, “THINKIN BIG” by James “Quick” Tillis.

To pick up a personally autographed copy CLICK HERE. 

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