James Tillis vs Earnie Shavers (Full Fight Highlights)

Earnie Shavers 209 lbs lost to James Tillis 217 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10 Date: 1982-06-11 Location: Caesars Palace, Outdoor Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Referee: Joey Curtis Judge: Herb Santos 92-96 Judge: Lou Tabat 92-96 Judge: Chuck Minker 91-97 James “Quick“ Tillis, pushed to the limit by veteran Earnie Shavers, survived a ninth-round knockdown and finished strong to score a unanimous 10-round decision over the aging heavyweight. The fight, which occurred outdoors, took place on a day in which temperatures reached 100 degrees. Notes James Tillis 21-1 (17 KOs) vs. Earnie Shavers 68-10-1 (64 KOs) Tillis entered ranked as the # 4 heavyweight contender by the WBA. Fight was on the undercard of Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney. Shavers, 37, was 13 years older than Tillis. At 217 pounds, Tillis was fighting at his heaviest to date. Quote “The baddest n**** I fought was Earnie Shavers. That n**** can make July into June and made me jump over the mother******’ moon! That n**** hit so hard, he’ll bring back tomorrow. Muhammad Ali told me he hit him so hard, he shook his kin folk in Africa. He hit me so hard, I thought I was on the corner smoking a cigarette and eating a spam sandwich. That’s how hard that n**** hit. - James Tillis in a 2010 interview.