Mills Lane, the former boxer who became one of the most famous referees of the past half century and a Hall of Famer, died Tuesday morning in Reno, Nevada. He was 85 years old.
Lane’s son, Tommy Lane, told the Reno Gazette that his father has been in hospice care for the past week. Elder Lane suffered a stroke 20 years ago, ending his career.
Tommy Lane told the newspaper: “His general condition has deteriorated significantly. “It was a quick departure. He feels comfortable and surrounded by his family. …
“You never know how long he’s had. We feel like we’ve been preparing for this for a long time, but there’s no such thing as preparing for this.”
Mills Lane took part in many of the biggest fights from the 1970s to the ’90s, reportedly being third in the ring in more than 100 championship fights.
He is perhaps best known for his second Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield fight in 1997 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the “Battle of Bite,” in which Tyson chewed off part of Holyfield’s ear. Lane disqualified Tyson for a second time when he bit Holyfield.
And he was in the Holyfield-Riddick Bowe “Fan Man” match in 1993, in which a man parachuted into the ring.
Lane is also known for his pre-match catchphrase “Let’s Get it on”.
Marc Ratner, the former executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, told the Los Angeles Times in 1991 (according to BoxingScene.com): “There was no fight we didn’t put him in. “He is as good as any referee in the world. I don’t care if it’s a heavyweight fight or the smaller ones, when he said, ‘Break’ and interjected between the boys, the boxers respected him.
“Not all referees have that. He’s not pointless. He took control. There was an aura around him.
Lane also served as a prosecutor in the Washoe County (Nevada) District Attorney’s office for most of the 1970s and 80s, eventually being elected district attorney. He became a judge in the 1990s, then he starred in the TV series “Judge Mills Lane”. That lasted three years.
The administrative and judicial building in Reno is named after Lane.
Lane started boxing in the Marines. He played professionally in the 1960s, setting a 10-1 record (6 KOs). He lost his debut and then went undefeated.
Tommy Lane told the Gazette there were no plans for a funeral but he added that the family could hold a memorial service at some point.
