Mills Lane, TV Judge And Boxing Referee passed at 85

Mills Lane, the fiery boxer-turned-referee who became a judge in Washoe County, Nevada, before launching his courtroom television program, has passed away. The story was confirmed by his son Tommy Lane to the Reno Gazette-Journal. The boxing legend was 85 years old.

After acting as the third man in the ring during the 1997 heavyweight title battle between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, during which Tyson bit off a part of Holyfield’s ear, Lane’s fame peaked. He was well-known to boxing fans for both his presence and his pre-match catchphrase, “Let’s get it on!” The diminutive Lane, who also fought at 147 pounds, was the one who separated the two and ultimately disqualified Tyson, whose shirt was drenched with Holyfield’s blood.

Mills Lane Career

Lane took up his bow tie shortly after he became the judge on his court program, Judge Mills Lane, in 1998. Before ending in 2001, the syndicated series generated 700 episodes over three years. Using his slogan “Let’s get it on!” at the beginning of each case, Lane ruled over litigation in traditional court television flair. Later, the TNN broadcast repeats the programme. Currently, it is accessible on Pluto TV.

John Tomlin and Bob Young produced the show for Hurricane Entertainment Group. The first season of Judge Mills Lane was released by Rysher Entertainment, while the second and third seasons were handled by Paramount Domestic Television.

Who was Mills Lane?

Born in Savannah, Georgia, Lane attended Concord Middlesex School in Massachusetts, where he participated in linebacker football and ice hockey (goaltender). Before being released in 1959, he joined the Marines in 1956, boxed and won the All-Far East welterweight championship. He won the National Collegiate Athletic Association welterweight boxing championship in 1960. He began his career with ten wins, one loss, and six knockouts.

In 1990, Lane obtained a law degree, became a district attorney, and eventually a district judge. During this time, he also became a boxing referee, presiding over about 100 championship bouts. He was the third boxer in bouts between Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, Lennox Lewis, and Thomas Hearns, among others. In 1993, Lane was in the ring watching a heavyweight bout between Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe when a “Fan Man” parachuted into the ring.

“There was no fight we wouldn’t put him in,” former executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission Marc Ratner told the Los Angeles Times in 1991. “He was as good as any referee in the world. I don’t care if it was a heavyweight fight or smaller guys. When he said, ‘Break’ and got in between guys, the fighters respected him. Not all referees have that. He was no-nonsense. He took control. There was an aura about him.”