James "Quick" Tillis. The Greatest Underachiever

[BoomBoom]

If there is one heavyweight in history that I believe never fought at his potential it is James Tillis. He is mostly remembered as the guy who took a young, ferocius, and undefeated Mike Tyson the distance in a competitive but losing effort. I remember him as the last of a breed of heavyweight fighters that utilized footwork, handspeed, and a tremendous jab. Tillis had one of the greatest jabs I have seen a heavyweight posess. No he wasnt Ali, but he he had a lightning fast jab that was superior to almost in the divisions history. Obviously inconsistency and stamina issues plagued his career. His record show that. Maybe it was poor training or bad habits. Still, I wonder how his career would have changed if had beaten Tyson that night and how he would be remembered today.

[El Kabong]

....what about Andrew Golota? 'Razor' Rudduck? or even Michael Moorer given what he did after beating Holyfield

[BoomBoom]

....what about Andrew Golota? 'Razor' Rudduck? or even Michael Moorer given what he did after beating Holyfield

All those guys never accomplished as much as they should have either. Tillis acheived far less though imo and had just as much natural ability.

[Dark Lord Al]

....what about Andrew Golota? 'Razor' Rudduck? or even Michael Moorer given what he did after beating Holyfield

All those guys never accomplished as much as they should have either. Tillis acheived far less though imo and had just as much natural ability.

Greg Page seemed to have it all at one time , but he was lazy in training and in the ring. Tillis to be fair was a poor mans Greg Page , who was a poor mans Ali

[THE THIRD MAN]

....what about Andrew Golota? 'Razor' Rudduck? or even Michael Moorer given what he did after beating Holyfield

All those guys never accomplished as much as they should have either. Tillis acheived far less though imo and had just as much natural ability.

Greg Page seemed to have it all at one time , but he was lazy in training and in the ring. Tillis to be fair was a poor mans Greg Page , who was a poor mans Ali

Both Page and Tillis were just short of being in the first division, they were tough fights for up and comers and both had their moments in the sun, for whatever reason and only they could answer they didn't quite measure up when it really counted.

[ICB]

All those guys never accomplished as much as they should have either. Tillis acheived far less though imo and had just as much natural ability.

Greg Page seemed to have it all at one time , but he was lazy in training and in the ring. Tillis to be fair was a poor mans Greg Page , who was a poor mans Ali

Both Page and Tillis were just short of being in the first division, they were tough fights for up and comers and both had their moments in the sun, for whatever reason and only they could answer they didn't quite measure up when it really counted.

I remember Ali being impressed with Page, a lot of people thought Page was the new Ali since Page come from Louisville Kentucky like Ali. Plus he had the same low hands style. A lot of the 80's Heavyweights were talented, but i think the best of 80's Heavyweight's was Tim Witherspoon at his best he gave Larry Holmes hell. In fact im big Holmes fan and i had Holmes only winning by 1 point but i wouldn't have been disappointed had it gone the other way very razor thin close fight.