Here is a list of Tillis's best fights. For a list of Tillis's losses, refer to "James Tillis Losses".
On June 11, 1982 James Tillis faced off against Earnie Shavers at age 24. He was coming in with a record of 22-1 (17), and Shavers was 37 years old and with a record of 67-10-1 (63). Tillis won the fight via 10-round unanimous decision.