From Boxrec: Career Review This content is protected “Biff Cline 1975 Donald Cline, nicknamed Biff, was born on July 3, 1947. During his professional boxing career, he was known as, " The Terror". Donald (Biff) Cline was a highly touted light heavyweight during the 1970s, whose career was overshadowed in scandal . Cline came from a fistic background, as his father Chris Cline was a well-known boxing trainer and manager. In his youth, Cline was more interested in football, then boxing, and was a star fullback at Suitland High School. Cline then entered the U.S. Armed Services and served in Viet-Nam during the Tet-Offensive (1968-1969). Upon his discharge, Cline became a police officer with the Capitol Police Department. It was also during this time that Cline decided on a professional boxing career. Cline was managed and trained by his father. He was a health-nut and physical fitness buff, and had a lean, yet highly muscular build. At 24, in 1971, Biff Cline launched his boxing career. After racking up a series of first round knockouts, Cline earned the nickname, "The Terror". His 13-1 (13 KOs) record earned him a fight on national television against undefeated Ray Elson. He was now being managed by Paddy Dolan. Cline was leading in the fight, but seemed to tire and was stopped in the 4th round. Following the fight, a scandal broke out regarding bogus fights and padded fight records. Cline's record became the focus of attention and three fights were found to be bogus. The bouts in question had appeared in the 1977 Ring Record Book; March 27, 1976 vs. Billy Howard, Owings Mill, MD ... KO 1, April 12, 1976 vs. Jimmy Monroe, Winston-Salem, NC ... KO 1, and August 20, 1976 vs. Ace Williams, Winston-Salem, NC ... KO 1. Cline's padded record was used to secure him his ABC television bout with Ray Elson in the United States Championship Tournament promoted by Don King. The Ring Magazine's John Ort was critized for recording Cline's fictitious bouts in the Ring Record Book. Also, Cline's manager, Paddy Dolan was accused of submitting the bogus fights to The Ring. In 1982, Cline suffered a detached retina and became blind in his left eye. After his boxing career ended, as well as his law enforcement career, Cline worked as a bouncer in various night-clubs in George County, Maryland.”
Very thorough post, Train. Funny, I was just reading about Cline today; didn't noticed he just died. I've been meaning to buy his fight with Ray Elson, but never have gotten around to it. Supposedly their fight is an "alltime classic battle". I've never heard of it though!
Very cool! I think I have mentioned that I have an interest in the fringe contenders of the past. Please share if you come across anything interesting! I was thinking about a 1976ish article talking about the up-and-coming crop of heavy weights which included Larry Holmes, Greg Page (the Louisville rage ) but also Scott LeDoux, Johnny Boudreaux, Stan Ward and Biff the terror Cline.This was not in “the ring” but was certainly on the eve of Don King’s infamous tournament and included the padded record. I’m gonna look for that magazine.
