Born November 12, 1937 in Savannah, GA. Lane enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1956, where he took up boxing. After an honorable discharge, he enrolled at the University of Nevada at Reno and won an NCAA boxing championship in 1960.
Upon graduating with a law degree in 1963 he turned professional and complied a 10-1 record before hanging up his gloves and turning his attention to refereeing in 1964. He quickly earned a reputation as a no-nonsense referee who was respected for his fairness, judgment and professionalism. In the late 1970s he coined his trademark pre-fight phrase, “Let’s Get It On” and it rapidly became a fan favorite. Lane was third man in the ring for such notable bout as Norton vs. Holmes, Ali vs. Foster, Holmes vs. Cooney, Bramble vs. Mancini II, Tyson vs. Berbick and Holyfield vs. Douglas. In the 1990s Lane was involved in three controversial bouts – Bowe vs. Holyfield II, Holyfield vs. Tyson II and Lewis vs. McCall – which all propelled him into the national spotlight. He retired from the ring in 1998 with over 100 title bouts to his credit. From 1998 to 2001 Lane, a long-time judge, starred in the syndicated program Judge Mills Lane.
In 2002 Lane suffered a stroke and continues to recover at his home in Reno.
Born: Nov. 12, 1937
Died: Dec. 6, 2022
Induction: 2013
Mills Lane
 | ||||||
