1. Clarence Whistler was a professional athlete and champion Greco-Roman wrestler of the 1880s.
17 Facts About Clarence Whistler
1. 2.
Clarence Whistler wrestled three famous bouts with Muldoon, totaling over 14 hours.
3.
Clarence Whistler went on to fight Andre Christol in a four-hour match that ended in a draw.
4.
Muldoon claimed that Clarence Whistler had worn ammonia in his hair, which caused Muldoon's eyes to burn, and Clarence Whistler wore his fingernails long purposely to injure Muldoon.
5.
Enmity was so great that Clarence Whistler swore he would beat Muldoon on the mat or in the street.
6.
Clarence Whistler spent the rest of the year slandering Muldoon in the press in order to corner him into a rematch.
7.
Finally returning to the mat, Clarence Whistler linked up with Cannon, who saw great natural ability in Clarence Whistler.
8.
Clarence Whistler issued a challenge to his old foe to wrestle him at MSG which went unheeded by Muldoon, who was already headed West on tour with Madame Modjeska.
9.
Clarence Whistler then put his own title claim up against Acton at MSG.
10.
The highly anticipated match went two hours to a draw but Clarence Whistler was roundly outclassed by the smaller man, losing his already-waning claim to that championship in the process, and a great deal of his public acclaim.
11.
Clarence Whistler won a wrestling tournament in 1883 in St Louis, Graeco-Roman style, and placed second in the catch-as-catch-can category.
12.
Cannon and Clarence Whistler acquiesced and lit to the Pacific Coast at the insistence of Muldoon.
13.
Clarence Whistler's left collarbone was broken when he was slammed harshly by Muldoon to the mat.
14.
Clarence Whistler refused to quit the match, but the doctor disallowed him to continue, thus stopped it.
15.
Clarence Whistler stayed West and languished in bouts that generated limited public interest.
16.
Clarence Whistler was buried in Melbourne General Cemetery with Miller as one of his pallbearers.
17.
Clarence Whistler was memorialized by fellow athletes, including Muldoon, and the sports world at large as the most courageous athlete of his time.