Boxing Legend Mills Lane Passes Away at 85
In a somber turn of events, the boxing world has lost one of its most iconic figures – Mills Lane, a legendary boxing referee, has passed away at the age of 85. The news was confirmed by his son, Tommy Lane, who shared that the legendary referee had been in hospice care for the past week, succumbing to the effects of a serious stroke he suffered in 2002 that had left him partially paralyzed.
“He took a significant decline in his overall situation,” Tommy Lane told Jim Krajewski of the Reno Gazette Journal. “It was a quick departure. He was comfortable and he was surrounded by his family.”
Born in Savannah, Georgia, Mills Lane enjoyed a storied 27-year career as a boxing referee, officiated several famous matches, including the infamous WBA Heavyweight Championship rematch between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield on June 28, 1997. That bout ended in the third round with a disqualification of Tyson, who had infamously bitten Holyfield’s ear.
Lane’s iconic catchphrase, “Let’s get it on!” at the start of the fights he refereed, cemented his reputation as a no-nonsense arbiter of the sport. He officiated his final fight in 1998 before embarking on a new chapter, hosting the syndicated court show “Judge Mills Lane” for three seasons.
In 2013, Mills Lane was inducted into both the Nevada and International Boxing Halls of Fame, a testament to his significant contributions to the sport he loved.
The boxing community mourns the loss of this legendary figure, whose impact on the sport will be long-remembered by fans and athletes alike.
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