MULDOON, WILLIAM & WILLIAM MILLER CABINET CARD (EARLY 1880'S)

William Muldoon (May 25, 1852 – June 3, 1933) was the Greco-Roman Wrestling Champion, physical culturist and the first chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission. He once wrestled a match that lasted over seven hours. Nicknamed "The Solid Man," Muldoon established himself as champion in Greco-Roman wrestling in the 1880s and over the years gained a remarkable measure of public influence that would continue through his days as a health farm proprietor in Westchester County and his service on NYSAC. Muldoon was a mainstay in New York sports for over 50 years. In 1889 Muldoon trained John L. Sullivan for his famous 75-round fight against Jake Kilrain for the world heavyweight bare-knuckle boxing championship. He had done so on a friendly wager and offered to absorb expenses if Sullivan lost. Sullivan won and Muldoon gained national notice for restoring the boxing champion to fighting form after Sullivan was dismissed by the press and sporting public as a hopelessly dissipated wreck. Muldoon's methods at accomplishing Sullivan's rejuvenation gained much public interest. Muldoon was never defeated for his Greco-Roman Championship. Offered here is an original cabinet card of William Muldoon and William Miller, who Muldoon defeated in 1880. William Miller (16 December 1846 – 11 March 1939), also known as Professor William Miller, was an Australian athlete, the only athlete to hold Australian championships for boxing, fencing, wrestling and weight-lifting.
This is an original cabinet card of Muldoon and Miller engaged in action. Photographer name of Mora of New York on lower mount. Bold clear image. Clean front and back. Not creased or torn. Names are written at top of card in fountain pen. Minor edge wear. 4 1/8" x 6 1/2."