Referee Mills Lane selected to International Boxing Hall of Fame

Mills Lane hardly could have received a nicer early Christmas present.

The iconic boxing referee from Reno has struggled with his health, undergoing hip surgery this year and never fully recovering from a debilitating stroke in 2002. But life brightened a bit for the 76-year-old Lane on Monday when he was selected for induction to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. The ceremonies will be held June 6 to 9 in Canastota, N.Y.

"When my mom told him, he smiled," Lane's son Terry said. "It's a tremendous honor. It's something he's earned.

"He doesn't have a lot of good moments, so when one like this comes along, we cherish them."

Lane worked as a referee from 1965 to 1998 and became widely known for his signature line, "Let's get it on!" which he growled just before the opening bell of every fight he worked.

Lane officiated 110 title fights, including bouts involving all-time greats such as Muhammad Ali, Ken Norton, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Marvin Hagler, Oscar De La Hoya and Julio Cesar Chavez.

But Lane probably is best known for being the third man in the ring during the infamous "Bite Fight" heavyweight rematch between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield on June 28, 1997, at the MGM Grand Garden. Tyson bit Holyfield's right ear twice during the third round, prompting Lane to disqualify Tyson at the end of the round.

Lane, who boxed as an amateur while attending UNR, also fought professionally as a welterweight. He had a 10-1 record with six knockouts in a six-year pro career.

Lane also found fame as the District Attorney for Washoe County, as a District Court judge, and later on television as his syndicated courtroom show, "Judge Mills Lane," proved highly successful.

Lane has remained out of the public eye since March 2002 when a stroke left him unable to speak. His son hopes Lane will be able to attend the Hall of Fame induction, where he will join Joe Cortez as the only Nevada referees enshrined. Cortez was inducted in 2011.

"June's a long ways away," Terry Lane said. "We'll have a family meeting and we'll try and get him there. Right now, it's very hard for him to travel."

Keith Kizer, executive director of the Nevada Athletic Commission, said Lane's pending induction is a proud day for the state.

"Three things come to mind," Kizer said. "One, his great work in the ring. He had some very difficult fights to work. Second, the respect he commanded outside the ring, as a district attorney and as a judge. Third, he was a mentor to all of our current referees early in their careers, and they owe a lot of their success to Mills.

"He has represented Nevada and boxing with distinction, and we're very pleased to see him recognized for his many accomplishments."

Terry Lane said his dad has been hoping this day would come when he would be recognized for his body of work.

"He loves boxing," Terry Lane said. "He treated every fight he worked the same way. It could be a world heavyweight title fight or a four-rounder in rural Nevada."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.