'86 James Tillis versus '57 Floyd Patterson... I just rewatched Tillis-Tyson and I have to admit that I was very impressed with Tillis' skill set, hand speed and how game he was overall...Were my eyes deceiving me or would this guy give smaller atg HWs MAJOR problems?
What he was for Tyson was a step-up guy that Tyson got after a long line of nowhere near as capable fighters. He was also a great version of an inconsistent "good" fighter. Maybe I'm wrong but I have to think Floyd's experience level by then was so much better (immensely so) than Tyson's that Patterson probably wouldn't be as frustrated or occasionally baffled by Tillis' fair amount of craftiness. I have to think Floyd handles him well. Tyson was still in a learning phase by Tillis and had been a pro very shortly with very few rounds.
Several years prior, Patterson had already beat the 50s version of Tillis, Jimmy Slade twice. Well, Slade may have been a little better than Tillis, having picked up a couple top 10 wins over Tommy Jackson and Cockell inbetween losses. Patterson was simply more accomplished and better groomed than Mike at this stage..as pointed out.
the small bit of video i have seen of slade, he looks like patterson in style a bit, jumping in with punches. tillis's style looked a little like a late 70's ali, same trainer too....not saying he was another ali, just his style looked like that. there was a video, i think thegreatA had on youtube, cant find it now, of patterson v slade with patterson narrating.
Jimmy "The Spoiler" Slade was a slick spoiler of course. He was famous for being a difficult opponent to catch but usually lost fights by refusing to stay active offensively after the first few rounds.
Fightin' Cowgirl Tilly won VS Shavers - WORD!! :deal Shavers is a proper heavy - patty is a lgt-hvy. Foreman Hoooooooooook! :hat
Patterson would either win by late stoppage or unanimous decision.Tillis has good speed himself, and nice boxing ability, but this version of Tillis is not enough to deal with Floyd.The 81-83 version, would be a live underdog.