RIP Mills. He was a fixture of fight cards for most of my formative years following the sport. A true great of his field.
Mills Lane perhaps was the greatest referee in boxing history, he was a no nonsense guy. Rest In Peace Referee Lane.
One of the absolute key figures from my main period of following boxing. I can see that tiny man in looking up at giants Holmes & Cooney. No BS guy and a great referee to me. Sad to hear of his passing.
My condolences to his loved ones. Arguably the greatest ref he was definitely the standard as far as not tolerating BS but not getting too involved either.
Mills Lane was a Marine and boxed in the service. After he got out he went to college in Reno, Nevada, and boxed collegiately (when that was still a thing). He of course went into the legal profession and served with enough distinction that a courthouse in Reno was named after him. So he’s in the boxing hall of fame and also honored for his career as a judge. Not many people are so highly-thought of in two such vastly different fields as to be given that kind of recognition. Even if I was guilty of whatever I was charged with, I’d happily accept Mills Lane as judge for my trial because I would trust it would be a fair one. He was tough but he was fair — which is all anyone can ask of a referee. RIP.
