One of the most famous referees in boxing history, Mills Lane, died Tuesday morning in Reno at the age of 85.
His son, Tommy Lane, told the Reno Gazette Journal that his father died after being in hospice for the past week.
He is survived by his wife Kay and sons Terry and Tommy.
Lane suffered a bad stroke 20 years ago and his overall health was never the same.
“He took a significant decline in his overall situation,” Tommy Lane said to the RGJ. “It was a quick departure. He was comfortable and he was surrounded by his family.
“You never knew how long he had. We kind of felt like we were preparing for this all along., but there’s no such thing as preparing for this.”
Lane joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1956 and became a boxer. When stationed in Okinawa, he became the All Far-East welterweight champion. He turned professional while still in college and compiled a record of 10-1.
Lane graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1963. While there, he began his career as a boxing referee.
Lane became famous for his pre-fight phrase, “Let’s get it on.” He was the referee in more than 100 world championship fights.
He became a household name in the United States on June 28, 1997, the night he refereed “The Bite Fight,” a rematch between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Tyson twice bit Holyfield’s ears in the early rounds, and Lane disqualified him.
MORE DETAILS TO COME…………
This news is republished from another source. You can check the original article here