BoxRec

MILLS LANE, 1937-2022

Hall of Fame referee Mills Lane has passed away at his home in Reno, Nevada. Very few people command total respect in the contentious and self-serving world of boxing, but Lane was one of the very few who was universally loved and respected by everyone fortunate enough to come in contact with him. Arguably the greatest referee of modern times, Lane passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and two sons.

As a boxer, Lane was an NCAA champion and made it to the U.S. Olympic trials. But it was as a referee that Lane made a historical impact on boxing. In 1982, he officiated the historic heavyweight fight in which Larry Holmes stopped Gerry Cooney. In 1993, he refereed an outdoor heavyweight championship fight between Riddick Bowe and Evander Holyfield that was disrupted when a parachutist landed in the ring. Lane maintained order as best as anyone could have, and the fight was able to resume, with Holyfield regaining the championship.

In 1994, Lane was confronted with an unprecedented situation when, with a vacant heavyweight championship at stake, Oliver McCall suffered a mid-fight emotional breakdown. McCall began crying and allowing Lennox Lewis to punch him at will, forcing Lane to choose the correct moment to stop a significant sporting event for the meantal and emotional (as well as the physical) safety of one of the participants.

In 1997, Lane disqualified an out-of-control Mike Tyson after Tyson infamously bit off a piece of Holyfield's ear. Lane's quick thinking, decisiveness and strong moral compass enabled him to see these insane situations through as best as humanly possible.

Lane, however, was much more than a great referee. He was also a law school graduate, a criminal prosecutor and eventually, a district court judge in Nevada's Washoe County. After he stopped refereeing, he became a television personality and boxing promoter until his health forced him into retirement. Lane rarely appeared in public after suffering a stroke in 2002, but was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2013.

a legend

The most memorable ref ever.

A great referee.
R.I.P Mills

Mills Lane was the best referee I have seen.

A bit like soccer's Pierluigi Collina he was instantly recognisable and always commanded respect.

He refereed so many great fights including that notorious Tyson v Holyfield 'Bite fight' in 1997.

So sad to lose another boxing legend after Marvin Hagler's shock death last March.

However, life must go on, and as Lane used to say at the start of each bout, "Let's get it on".

Arthur Mercante aside, Mills Lane is arguably the most iconic referee of them all.

RIP Mills.

He was a beacon of class amonst a pile of manure that is boxing. RIP Mills.

Syntax Error wrote: ↑06 Dec 2022, 16:20 Arthur Mercante aside, Mills Lane is arguably the most iconic referee of them all.

RIP Mills.

Agree, they were the top two refs of all time.

Great ref Mills Lane, he had a good innings.

My favorite referee

RIP the guvnor of refs. The man they couldn't buy off...

Rest in peace Mills

He seemed very down to earth.
I remember him in an interview discussing about his attempt at being a boxer.
He stated that it didn't quite work out because he apparently wasn't made to take a good punch. At least not on the higher levels of competition.
That's basically what he conveyed in the interview.
Obviously it didn't serve as A discouraging factor, being that he nevertheless chose to pursue a continued passion and interest in the sport of Boxing, becoming a top notch ref, as well as a good solid American judicial judge.
R.i.P Ole Prince of ref's and judges.

RIP Mr. Lane. I was hanging around the VIP entrance before the Tyson - Norris card at the MGM in Vegas (1999). Mills Lane came walking by and I started talking with him. He was very generous with his time. When I told him my Mother was a Sargent in the Marine Corps during WWII he was amazed and we had a nice discussion of current boxing champs and the Marines.

Steve Gray the British referee did a tribute in his introductions before the Conlan/Guerfi fight in Belfast this weekend.
It’s on Twitter, someone more IT savvy than me will have to post that I’m afraid

AngryGoon38 wrote: ↑07 Dec 2022, 22:12 He seemed very down to earth.
I remember him in an interview discussing about his attempt at being a boxer.
He stated that it didn't quite work out because he apparently wasn't made to take a good punch. At least not on the higher levels of competition.
That's basically what he conveyed in the interview.
Obviously it didn't serve as A discouraging factor, being that he nevertheless chose to pursue a continued passion and interest in the sport of Boxing, becoming a top notch ref, as well as a good solid American judicial judge.
R.i.P Ole Prince of ref's and judges.

Takes a strong man to admit that he is chinny and cannot take a good punch.

I will miss him :(

The best IMO. If memory serves, the reason he flicked his nose three times during the intros was to acknowledge his family.