"Professor" William Miller
BORN December 16 1846; Liscard, Cheshire, England (Some sources report 1947) 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 1875 Dec 25 Louis Carteron Brooklyn, NY W -This was a wrestling match; Falls : 3-2 1876 Apr 24 John J. Dwyer Brooklyn, NY EX May 12 John J. Dwyer Brooklyn, NY SCH May 12 John J. Dwyer Brooklyn, NY SCH -The previous 2 bouts 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 bouts 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 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 L -This was a wrestling match 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 1878 May 27 John J. Dwyer Brooklyn, NY SCH -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known 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 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 23 William Muldoon New York, NY (7:13:00) D -This wrestling match started at 8:47 PM and lasted until 4:00 AM 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 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 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 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 -Some sources report "ND 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 King ***
Record courtesy of Tracy Callis and Mike Attree, Historians, International Boxing Research Organization
