James Quick Tillis - What was he missing?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Seamus, Oct 20, 2025 at 10:57 AM.


  1. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    I always liked watching the Cowboy fight when he showed up motivated. He certainly had skills, good tools... He ran into some real monsters, guys like Witherspoon, prime Pinky, even Coetzee. But then he lost to B and C level dudes, too. What prevented him from really reaching that top contender, or even belt holder status?
     
  2. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Wasn't he allergic to something in the fight diet or some issue like that?
     
  3. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I read he was allergic to eggs which affected his stamina in fights. Who knows if or when he stopped eating them. But he lost almost every time he stepped up . I’m thinking at the end of the day he just topped out at fringe level
     
  4. Curtis Lowe

    Curtis Lowe Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Tillis was allergic to milk and eggs, which they found out prior to the Tyson fight.

    In the 1980"s having an allergic reaction to a food was something nobody considered.

    In the 80's everyone's main concern was becoming a cocaine addict. It you weren't coked up everyone
    figured you were good to go.
     
  5. Fireman Fred

    Fireman Fred Active Member Full Member

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    I pretty certain I read back in the day that Joe Manley also had a food allergy which effected his stamina.

    After losing everytime he stepped up (Harry Arroyo, Gene Hatcher and Ronnie Shields) he turned it around by flooring Howard Davis twice and outpointing him, getting a draw with future champ Gary Hinton and then coming on strong to knockout Hinton for the World title in 10 rounds.

    Unfortunately for Joe he was also allergic to Terry Marsh who completely destroyed him and effectively finished his career.
     
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  6. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    I don’t know but whenever I’m trying to figure out what was missing it turns out to it was a significant part or two and essentially he wasn’t good enough. Tillis wasn’t busy enough, often didn’t go balls to the wall and was a bunch off on a few parts
     
  7. GoldenHulk

    GoldenHulk Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He didn't have much to begin with. I think he was way overrated, the only notable guys he beat were a washed-up Ron Stander and an aging Earnie Shavers. Against Mike Weaver he did nothing but run all night long. Angelo Dundee screaming profanity at Tillis between rounds was hilarious.
     
  8. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    He had a very close fight against a virile Mike Tyson, an 80 inch reach, and a Cowboy hat.

    That's 9/10 the way to a champeenship.
     
  9. Roughhouse

    Roughhouse Active Member Full Member

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    He seemed to lack a certain sharpness and his movement was less "quick" than it was spongy and bouncy. For a guy who was supposed to be a speedster, he seemed to have a certain aimlessness that caused him to get hit a lot more than he should've. I remember him getting clocked quite a few times from Roughhouse Fischer with very telegraphed overhand rights in his tuneup fight before he fought Weaver and Tom surely wasn't fleet of foot and should have never reached him that often.

    The only time he looked really "on point" is when he obliterated Domingo D'Elia with some brutally sharp combos. For what it's worth, I thought he did good to go the distance with Weaver and avoid his power shots. He just wasn't willing to risk extended exchanges that night and take the risk.
     
  10. SouthpawsRule

    SouthpawsRule Active Member Full Member

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    He was one of those guys who looked slick but didn’t actually do much in the ring.
     
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  11. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    He was managed for a while by Ang.Dundee who actually said Tillis was going to be his next champ.
    But he grew frustrated with Tillis lack of confidence and inconsistent discipline.
    But he did take weaver to a majority decision loss,so he had a little something there.
     
  12. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    I'm pretty sure Weaver beat him unanimously Ferg.
     
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  13. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Your right mate, don't know where I got majority verdict from:facepalm:
     
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  14. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Old age like me mate hahahaha
     
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  15. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Lol tell me about it mate
    Give it ten years and the missus will be having to text our address to me :confused:
     
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