27 Facts About James Tillis

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

James Tillis's 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.

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

James 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.

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

James Tillis attended Mclain High School and grew up in a very religious southern family, with an alcoholic father and a deeply religious mother.

James Tillis dreamed about being a professional prize fighter and was given the nickname "Quick" by his first cousin Keith Reed.

James Tillis enlisted the help of noted trainer Ed Duncan, by becoming involved in the sport at the O'Brien Park recreation center in north Tulsa.

James Tillis 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.

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

James Tillis began his professional boxing career in 1978, with a first-round knockout of Ron Stephany.

James Tillis won his first 20 fights with 16 knockouts.

In 1981, James Tillis fought "Hercules" Mike Weaver for the WBA World Heavyweight title.

In June 1982, James Tillis came off the floor to outpoint the hard-hitting legend Earnie Shavers.

James Tillis 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, James Tillis fought former amateur rival Greg Page for the USBA Heavyweight title.

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

James Tillis was shockingly bombed out in one round, apparently slipping on a wet spot in the ring as Witherspoon hit him.

James Tillis got a new team and put together four wins in 1984, before challenging Carl Williams in a world title eliminator.

James Tillis lost a unanimous decision, but sent Coetzee to hospital with stitches and missing teeth.

James Tillis appeared to be a new man, as he exchanged with Tyson and gave the future two-time champion a very tough fight.

Surprisingly, Tillis' heart and will to fight has been questioned quite frequently by boxing analysts, even his co-manager Beau Williford told to the press the night before the fight considering that James was on a three-times-in-a-row losing streak, that his professional career as a boxer would be ended most likely if stopped by Tyson.

Culminative moment of the fight came at 2:45 of the fourth round, when James Tillis charged at Tyson with a leaping left hook, missed, and went off-balanced while pivoting on his left foot.

The new James Tillis was short-lived as he traveled to Australia and lost a decision to veteran Joe Bugner.

James Tillis was brought in to fight reigning cruiserweight world champion Evander Holyfield, who was making a high-profile move into the heavyweight ranks.

James Tillis fought his last fight in 2001, losing to clubfighter Rob Calloway when he was 44 years old.

James Tillis later played for the New York Liberty in 2006.