Lane retires as boxing referee, wants to be color commentator

Martin Griffith

Tuesday, Dec. 22, 1998 | 9:04 a.m.

RENO -- The referee whose action led to Mike Tyson's temporary banishment from boxing for biting Evander Holyfield's ear is calling it quits.

Mills Lane of Reno said Monday that he's ending his 31-year career as a referee because he wants to devote more time as a national television boxing analyst.

"It's been a blast, a real helluva ride," he said. "But I think it would be a conflict of interest to make public comment (about boxing) and at the same time be an active referee.

"Sure, I'll miss it, but I feel I'm going out on my own terms. I'm not as good as I was five years ago. You don't hear the bell as well and move as well when you're 61."

Lane gained international attention in June 1997 when he disqualified Tyson for biting off a piece of Hollyfield's ear during a heavyweight championship bout in Las Vegas. It was Lane's 96th title fight.

Lane refereed fights involving nearly every boxing great of recent decades, including Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Larry Holmes and Roberto Duran.

"But I'm forever wedded to the Tyson-Hollyfield fight," he said. "There's no question that bite put me where I am now."

Lane made his national television debut as a color commentator this year, doing three fights for the FX network. He has no contract with FX and is open to any offers, he said.

Lane, a former Nevada district attorney and district judge, also is host of a syndicated television series, "Judge Mills Lane," which has been renewed for a second season.

Lane said he also would like to be appointed as a member of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which regulates boxing in the state.

"I look forward to doing color commentating, which I have enjoyed, and to involve myself in other aspects of boxing," he said.

His career as a referee began in 1964, but was sidetracked for three years while he attended law school.