"Professor" William Miller

BORN   December 16 1846; Liscard, Cheshire, England (Some sources report 1847)
DIED   March 11 1939; Baltimore, Maryland (Baltimore Hospital)
HEIGHT 5-10 (Some sources report 5-9 3/4)
WEIGHT 191-196 lbs

 

Miller was a world famous Graeco-Roman wrestler who trained young boxers and wrestlers; Various reports state he was World Champion and Australian Champion Graeco-Roman wrestler; He was also reported to be the Heavyweight Boxing Champion of Australia

1851-1852
          -Miller arrived in Australia (as a four year old child)

1871
       Abe Hicken                 Melbourne, Vic, Aus              EX   

1874
Nov 14 Theobaud Bauer             San Francisco, Ca                 D   
          -This was a wrestling match for the Championship of the
           Pacific Coast"; Falls: 1-1
Nov 16 -It was reported that Miller would be overrun with pupils
          at his gymnasium since his performance against Bauer; He
          demonstrated extraordinary ability as a wrestler and is
          as good in boxing and fencing as he is in wrestling

1875
Jan 26 Bill Davis                 San Francisco, Ca               SCH   
          -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
Apr  3 -Miller and Theobaud Bauer gave several feats of strength
          in San Francisco, Ca
Apr  3 an unnamed opponent        San Francisco, Ca                EX   
       Tom Denny                  Boston, Ma                        D   
Dec 25 Louis Carteron             Brooklyn, NY                      W   
          -This was a wrestling match; Falls : 3-2

1876
Apr 24 John J. Dwyer              Brooklyn, NY                     EX  6
          -Some sources report "EX 4"
May 11 John J. Dwyer              Brooklyn, NY                    SCH   
          -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
May 12 John J. Dwyer              Brooklyn, NY                    SCH   
May 12 John J. Dwyer              Brooklyn, NY                    SCH   
          -The previous 2 wrestling matches were scheduled 
           for the same date; The outcomes are not known
May 13 John J. Dwyer              Brooklyn, NY                    SCH   
May 13 John J. Dwyer              Brooklyn, NY                    SCH   
          -The previous 2 wrestling matches were scheduled 
           for the same date; The outcomes are not known
May 15 John J. Dwyer              South Brooklyn, NY              SCH   
          -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
May 16 John J. Dwyer              Williamsburg, NY                SCH   
          -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
May 17 John J. Dwyer              Williamsburg, NY                SCH   
          -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
May 18 John J. Dwyer              Greenpoint, NY                  SCH   
          -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
Jun 12 John J. Dwyer              Boston, Ma                        W   
          -Wrestling Championship of the United States
Jul 15 Theobald Bauer             Baltimore, Md                    NC   
          -This was a wrestling match; It became violent;
           Police intervened
Aug 21 John J. Dwyer              Baltimore, Md                     L   
          -This was a wrestling match; Falls : 1-2
Sep  2 Joe Coburn                 Cincinnati, Oh                   EX   

1877
Feb 22 John J. Dwyer              New York, NY                     EX  5
          -Miller had the better of the fighting
Mar 19 John Clark                                                  EX  4
Mar 20 Theobald Bauer             New York, NY                      D   
          -This was a wrestling match; The verdict was originally "L"
Sep 15 Andrew Dennel              Baltimore, Md                     W   
          -This was a wrestling match; Falls : 2-1
Oct  4 -Miller was scheduled to spar in Brooklyn, NY
Oct  8 Joe Goss                   Brooklyn, NY                    SCH   
         -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
Oct  8 -Miller gave an exhibition of fencing with Professor DeTour
Nov 13 Theobald Bauer             Boston, Ma                        L   
          -This was a wrestling match; Falls : 0-1
Dec  3 Joe Goss                   New York, NY                    SCH   
         -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
Dec 31 Steve Taylor               Boston, Ma                       EX   

1878
May 27 John J. Dwyer              Brooklyn, NY                    SCH   
         -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
Jun 18 -Miller was scheduled to appear in Boston, Ma
Aug 23 an unnamed opponent        near New York, NY                EX   
          -This was a wrestling match on the United States
           Training Ship, Minnesota, in New York Harbor
Dec 19 Joe Goss                   Baltimore, Md                     W   
          -Miller won by more "clean" hits, 22-10

1879
Feb  9 Paddy Ryan                 Boston, Ma                       EX  2
Mar 26 J.H. McLaughlin            Baltimore, Md                     W   
          -This was a wrestling match
Apr 10 J.H. McLaughlin            Baltimore, Md                     D   
          -This was a wrestling match; Falls : 1-1; Time : 5 hours 30 min
Apr 19 -Miller was scheduled to spar in Brooklyn, NY
Apr 29 Paddy Ryan                 New York, NY                     EX   
          -This was a boxing match
May 12 John McMahan               New York, NY                      L   
          -This was a wrestling match;
           Perhaps, this man was Steve Taylor (John Mahan)
       Theobald Bauer             Batlimore, Md                     W   
          -Graeco-Roman Heavyweight Wrestling Championship
           of the World

          -Miller was Boxing instructor at the Baltimore, Md
           Athletic Club

1880
Feb 27 Theobald Bauer             Philadelphia, Pa                  W   
          -This was a wrestling match; Falls : 2-1
Mar  6 Paddy Ryan                 New York, NY                    SCH   
          -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
Mar 20 Paddy Ryan                 New York, NY                     EX  2
          -Reportedly, Ryan received an injury and retired from the match
Mar 23 William Muldoon            New York, NY           (7:13:00)  D   
          -This wrestling match started at 8:47 PM and lasted until 4:00 AM
Apr  3 -Miller sailed back to Australia; William Muldoon was at
           the port to see him off
Oct  2 Mons M. Victor             Melbourne, Vic, Aus              EX   
Oct  4 Mons M. Victor             Melbourne, Vic, Aus              EX   
Oct  5 Mons M. Victor             Melbourne, Vic, Aus              EX   
Oct  6 Mons M. Victor             Melbourne, Vic, Aus              EX   
Oct  7 Mons M. Victor             Melbourne, Vic, Aus              EX   
Oct  8 Mons M. Victor             Melbourne, Vic, Aus              EX   
          -The previous 6 bouts were exhibition wrestling matches

1881 
May    -Miller opened an Athletic Academy in Sydney, NSW, Aus 
           on Liverpool Street where he taught wrestling, boxing, 
           foils, single sticks and Indian clubs 
Oct 17 G.H. D'Harcourt            Sydney, NSW, Aus                 EX   
Oct 18 G.H. D'Harcourt            Sydney, NSW, Aus                 EX   
Oct 19 G.H. D'Harcourt            Sydney, NSW, Aus                 EX   
Oct 22 G.H. D'Harcourt            Sydney, NSW, Aus                 EX   
          -The previous 4 bouts were exhibition wrestling matches

1882
Apr 29 Jem Mace                   Auckland, NZ                     EX  3
May  2 Jem Mace                   Auckland, NZ                     EX  3
May  3 Jem Mace                   Auckland, NZ                     EX  3
May  4 Jem Mace                   Auckland, NZ                     EX  3
May  4 H.A. Kessing               Auckland, NZ                     EX  3
          -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
May  5 Jem Mace                   Auckland, NZ                     EX  3
May  6 Jem Mace                   Auckland, NZ                     EX  3
May  8 Jem Mace                   Thames, NZ                       EX  3
May  9 Jem Mace                   Thames, NZ                       EX  3
May 20 Fred Edmonds               Wellington, NZ                   EX   
          -This was an exhibition wrestling match
May 20 Jem Mace                   Wellington, NZ                   EX  3
          -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
May 22 Jem Mace                   Wellington, NZ                   EX  3
May 23 Jem Mace                   Wellington, NZ                   EX  3
May 24 Jem Mace                   Wellington, NZ                   EX  3
May 25 Jem Mace                   Wellington, NZ                   EX  3
May 26 Jem Mace                   Wellington, NZ                   EX  3
May 27 Jem Mace                   Wellington, NZ                   EX  3
Jun  3 Fred Edmonds               Christchurch, NZ                 EX   
          -This was an exhibition wrestling match
Jun  3 Fred Edmonds               Christchurch, NZ                 EX  3
Jun  3 Jem Mace                   Christchurch, NZ                 EX  3
          -The previous 3 bouts were held the same date
Jun  5 Jem Mace                   Christchurch, NZ                 EX  3
Jun  6 Jem Mace                   Christchurch, NZ                 EX  3
Jun  7 Fred Edmonds               Christchurch, NZ                 EX  3
Jun  7 Jem Mace                   Christchurch, NZ                 EX  3
          -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Jun  8 Dan Lea                    Christchurch, NZ                 EX  3
Jun  9 Dan Lea                    Christchurch, NZ                 EX  3
Jun 10 Dan Lea                    Christchurch, NZ                 EX  3
Jun 12 Jem Mace                   Temuka, NZ                       EX  3
Jun 12 Fred Edmonds               Temuka, NZ                       EX   
          -This was an exhibition wrestling match;
           The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Jun 13 Jem Mace                   Timaru, NZ                       EX  3
Jun 14 Jem Mace                   Timaru, NZ                       EX  3
Jun 14 Herbert Slade              Timaru, NZ                        W   
          -This was a wrestling match; Falls: 1-0;
           The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Jun 15 Jem Mace                   Oamaru, NZ                       EX  3
Jun 15 Fred Edmonds               Oamaru, NZ                       EX   
          -This was a wrestling match; Falls: 1-0;
           The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Jun 17 Jem Mace                   Dunedin, NZ                      EX  3
Jun 18 Jem Mace                   Dunedin, NZ                      EX  3
Jun 19 Jem Mace                   Dunedin, NZ                      EX  3
Jun 20 Jem Mace                   Dunedin, NZ                      EX  3
Jun 21 Jem Mace                   Dunedin, NZ                      EX  3
Jun 22 Jem Mace                   Dunedin, NZ                      EX  3
Jun 23 Jem Mace                   Dunedin, NZ                      EX  3
Jun 24 Herbert Slade              Dunedin, NZ                       W   
          -This was a wrestling match; Falls: 3-1
Jun 29 Jem Mace                   Dunedin, NZ                      EX  3
Jun 29 Herbert Slade              Dunedin, NZ                      EX   
          -This was an exhibition westling match;
           The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Jun 30 Jem Mace                   Dunedin, NZ                      EX  3
Jun 30 Herbert Slade              Dunedin, NZ                      EX   
          -This was an exhibition westling match;
           The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Jul  1 Jem Mace                   Dunedin, NZ                      EX  3
Jul  1 Herbert Slade              Dunedin, NZ                      EX   
          -This was an exhibition wrestling match;
           The previous 2 bouts were held the same date

          -Miller went to Australia and started a training school
           for young boxers and wrestlers; Most noted of those he
           trained was Tom Lees, who became the Heavyweight 
           Champion of Australia

          -Miller was challenged by Bill Farnan to a fight;
           Miller never answered

1883
Jan 15 Mons M. Victor             Melbourne, Vic, Aus              EX   
          -This was an exhibition wrestling match
Jan 15 John M. Christie           Melbourne, Vic, Aus              EX  3
          -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Jan 27 Mons M. Victor             Melbourne, Vic, Aus              EX   
          -This was an exhibition wrestling match
Jan 27 John M. Christie           Melbourne, Vic, Aus              EX  3
          -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Mar 26 Mons M. Victor             Melbourne, Vic, Aus              EX   
          -This was an exhibition wrestling match
Apr 14 Paul Aubert                Melbourne, Vic, Aus              EX  3
May 28 Larry Foley                Sydney, NSW, Aus                  D 40
          -Heavyweight Championship of Australia;
           Spectators rushed into the ring to save their
           ageing idol from defeat and a brawl amongst
           the spectators brought police upon the scene;
           The contest was declared a draw; The next day,
           Foley conceded defeat and the stake of 500
           pounds was awarded to Miller; Some sources
           report 5/29/83
Jun 16 Jack Thompson              Melbourne, Vic, Aus              EX  3
Aug  8 Mons M. Victor             Melbourne, Vic, Aus               W   
          -This was a "fencing contest"
Aug 15 Mons M. Victor             Melbourne, Vic, Aus              EX   
          -This was an exhibition wrestling match
Nov  7 Edward Blackburn           Melbourne, Vic, Aus               W   
          -Graeco-Roman Heavyweight Wrestling Championship
           of Australia; Falls : 3-2
Dec  8 Edward Blackburn           Melbourne, Vic, Aus               D   
          -This was a wrestling match; Falls : 2-2 
Dec  8 John Thomas                Melbourne, Vic, Aus               D   
          -This was a wrestling match; Falls : 2-2; 
           The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
           as part of a "Triangular" wrestling match

1884
          -Miller had a troupe that toured Australia giving
           boxing and wrestling exhibitions

Jan 12 Mons M. Victor             Sydney, NSW, Aus                  W   
          -This was a wrestling match; Falls 5-0
Jan 28 Larry Foley                Sydney, NSW, Aus                 EX  3
Jan 28 Mons M. Victor             Sydney, NSW, Aus                 EX   
          -This was an exhibition wrestling match;
           The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Jan 29 Larry Foley                Sydney, NSW, Aus                 EX  3
Jan 29 Mons M. Victor             Sydney, NSW, Aus                 EX   
          -This was an exhibition wrestling match;
           The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Jan 30 Larry Foley                Sydney, NSW, Aus                 EX  3
Jan 30 Mons M. Victor             Sydney, NSW, Aus                 EX   
          -This was an exhibition wrestling match;
           The previous 2 bouts were held the same date;
           Some sources report another Foley bout on this date
Jan 31 Larry Foley                Sydney, NSW, Aus EX  3 Jan 31 Mons M. Victor             Sydney, NSW, Aus EX           -This was an exhibition wrestling match;          The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Feb  1 Larry Foley                Sydney, NSW, Aus EX  3 Feb  1 Mons M. Victor             Sydney, NSW, Aus EX           -This was an exhibition wrestling match;          The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Feb  2 Larry Foley                Sydney, NSW, Aus EX  3 Feb  2 Mons M. Victor             Sydney, NSW, Aus EX          -This was an exhibition wrestling match;          The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Mar  1 Larry Foley                Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX  3 Mar  3 Larry Foley                Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX  3 Mar  3 Mons M. Victor             Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX           -This was an exhibition wrestling match;          The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Mar  4 Larry Foley                Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX  3 Mar  4 Mons M. Victor             Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX          -This was an exhibition wrestling match;         The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Mar  5 Larry Foley                Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX  3 Mar  5 Mons M. Victor             Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX           -This was an exhibition wrestling match;          The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Apr  5 Donald Dinnie              Melbourne, Vic, Aus      W          -This was a "feat of strength" competition Apr 17 Edward Blackburn           Melbourne, Vic, Aus L          -Graeco-Roman Heavyweight Wrestling Championship         of Australia; Falls :1-3 Apr 19 Donald Dinnie              Melbourne, Vic, Aus      D   -This bout was billed as a Heavyweight Wrestling Championship of the World; It was a Graeco-Roman and Scotch style wrestling match held; Miller broke an ankle during the match and retired; Falls : 3-2 Jun 8 -Brooklyn (NY) Daily Eagle referenced the 4/19/84 match in which Miller was thrown so hard by Donald Dinnie that it broke a leg in two places; It was feared that Miller might be a cripple thereafter Sep 13 Mons M. Victor Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX -This was an exhibition wrestling match Oct 27 Paul Aubert Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX -This was an exhibition wrestling match Nov 24 Mons M. Victor Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX -This was an exhibition wrestling match 1885 Mar 20 -A benefit was held for Miller at Foley's Hall in Sydney, NSW, Aus Apr 30 Larry Foley Sydney, NSW, Aus EX 3 May 1 Larry Foley Sydney, NSW, Aus EX 3 May 2 Peter Jackson Sydney, NSW, Aus EX 4 May 2 Larry Foley Sydney, NSW, Aus EX 3         -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Jul 13 Donald Dinnie Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX -This was an exhibition wrestling match Jul 13 Donald Dinnie              Melbourne, Vic, Aus  W            -This was an exhibition wrestling match;         The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Jul 24 Donald Dinnie Melbourne, Vic, Aus W -This was a wrestling match Aug 1 Donald Dinnie Melbourne, Vic, Aus W -This bout was billed as a Heavyweight Wrestling Championship of the World; 3 styles; Falls : 2-1 Aug 15 Donald Dinnie Melbourne, Vic, Aus L -This bout was billed as a Heavyweight Wrestling Championship of the World; 5 styles; Falls : 2-3 Sep 26 Clarence Whistler          Melbourne, Vic, Aus L          -Graeco-Roman Heavyweight Wrestling Championship of the World; Falls : 0-2 Oct 17 Donald Dinnie Melbourne, Vic, Aus D -This was a wrestling match; Falls : 1-1 Nov 3 Donald Dinnie Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX 3 Nov 4 J. Edmonds Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX 3 Nov 4 Donald Dinnie Melbourne, Vic, Aus L -This was a Scotch style wrestling match; Falls : 0-1; The previous 2 bouts were held the same date Nov 7 Mossop Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX -This was an exhibition wrestling match 1886 Jan  2 Donnie Dinnie              Adelaide, SA, Aus                 D            -This was a wrestling match Jun 1 -Miller opened an Athletic Academy for Gentlemen in Melbourne, Vic, Aus; He taught boxing, wrestling, fencing, Indian clubs, broadsword, and single sticks Aug -Miller toured Tasmania giving boxing and wrestling exhibitions Dec 11 Donald Dinnie Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX -This was an exhibition wrestling match Dec 18 Tom Cannon                 Melbourne, Vic, Aus    L          -Graeco-Roman Heavyweight Wrestling Championship of the World; Miller retired with a dislocated rib; Falls : 1-1 1887 Mar 14 Harry Dunn Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX 3 May 14 Andre Christo Melbourne, Vic, Aus W -This was a wrestling match, Falls : 2-0 May 14 Signor Sali Melbourne, Vic, Aus W -This was a wrestling match, Falls : 2-0 The previous 3 contests were held the same date May 28 Tom Cannon Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX -This was an exhibition wrestling match Jun 17 Andre Christol Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX -This was an exhibition wrestling match Jun 18 Harry Dunn Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX 3 Jul 14 Frank "Paddy" Slavin Melbourne, Vic, Aus EX 4 Sep 5 Signor Sal Melbourne, Vic, Aus W -This was a wrestling match; Falls : 2-0; It was billed as the Heavyweight Wrestling and Weight Lifting Championship of the World Oct 15 Martin "Buffalo" Costello Melbourne, Vic, Aus ND 6 Nov Jim Corbett San Francisco, Ca L 6 -Some sources report "L 4" Nov 29 -Miller refereed the Joe Choynski-Billy Keneally bout at San Francisco, Ca for the Amateur Heavyweight Championship of the Pacific Coast Undated        George Rooke               New York, NY                    W           -This bout was probably held between 1884-1887;          Some sources report 1888 1888 Mar 21 -Miller signed to wrestle Joe Acton in a Graeco-Roman match - best 2 of 3 falls Mar 26 Joe Acton                  Philadelphia, Pa                L         -This was a wrestling match; Falls : 0-2 May 22 Joe Acton                  Philadelphia, Pa               SCH         -This was a scheduled wrestling match; The outcome is not known Jun 23 William Muldoon            Baltimore, Md                   W 12         -Police intervened Jun 25 William Muldoon SCH -This wrestling match was scheduled; The outcome is not known Jul  4 Joe Acton                  Philadelphia, Pa                 L         -This was a wrestling match; Falls : 0-2 Oct    -Miller left America for Australia to retire
1889         -Miller and Frank "Paddy" Slavin organized a combination          to tour Australia, New Zealand and New South Wales;         Miller was to wrestle and Slavin was to pay $125 to          any man he did not knock out in four rounds May  1 Frank "Paddy" Slavin       Sydney, NSW, Aus                EX  4         -Reports vary - "ND 4" - "NC 4" May 6 Frank "Paddy" Slavin Newcastle, NSW, Aus EX May 8 Frank "Paddy" Slavin West Maitland, NSW, Aus EX 1890 Feb 28 Duncan C. Ross             Melbourne, Vic, Aus W        -Graeco-Roman Heavyweight Wrestling Championship         of Australia; Fall:3-2 Apr  5 Duncan C. Ross             Melbourne, Vic, Aus W        -Graeco-Roman Heavyweight Wrestling Championship         of Australia; Fall:3-1 Apr 19 Duncan C. Ross             Melbourne, Vic, Aus D           -This was a wrestling match; Falls: 0-0;          Two 15 minute rounds were contested Apr 21 Duncan C. Ross             Melbourne, Vic, Aus W           -This was a wrestling match; Falls : 2-0 1903 -Miller went to America and became Physical Education Instructor for the New York Police Department *** The Following Bout Is Reported But Not Confirmed *** 1886-1887 Oct 31 Steve Taylor               St. Paul, Mn                    W 9 -Taylor received a broken arm; Some sources report 10/31/86 but Miller was in Australia at that time *** Assistance Was Provided By Dan Anderson ***

Record courtesy of Tracy Callis and Mike Attree, Historians, International Boxing Research Organization
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