I remember seeing "Quick" fight a few times. He came up the usual way, knocking over some stiffs, and working his way through the tomato cans, bums, trail horses, journeymen and club fighters. He was matched with another guy with an inflated record by the name of Domingo D'Elia, who couldn't fight at all, in an "eliminator" and Tillis won by ko. Then he got a fight with Mike Weaver for an alphabet belt and ran away for 15 rounds losing a decision. At one point he had Weaver stunned but didn't follow up. James did show some heart against Earnie Shavers , who was past his best, but had Tillis on the verge of a kayo. To his credit Tillis weathered the storm and came back to win a decision. After the Weaver fight, Tillis became a journryman himself, losing to most of the contenders he fought including Gerrie Coetzee and eventually Tyson. He performed well against the still green Tyson, using his legs and experience. One thing that made Tillis a little unusual was the fact that he was once a competitor in rodeos, bull riding , and bronco busting.
He beat a few decent fighters and gave Weaver a tough fight. He also got whipped by Holyfield and was blown or in one round by Tommy Morrison. Tommy got three brutual knockdowns n that one.
Funny fighter Tillis, sometimes he could be on top of his game and be a quick, crafty stick 'n' mover. Other times his mind wouldn't seem to be in it, and he'd get his head smacked off in quick order.