"Mills Lane III led a multifaceted life as an American boxing referee, professional boxer, judge, and television personality. He gained recognition for his distinctive refereeing style, marked by his catchphrase "Let's get it on!" and his role in high-profile boxing matches, including the infamous "Bite Fight" between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. Beyond boxing, Lane served two terms as a district court judge in Washoe County, Nevada."
November 12, 1937: Birth of Mills Lane
Mills Bee Lane III was born on November 12, 1937. He would go on to become a prominent figure in the world of boxing and law.
1956: Military Service Begins
Mills Lane enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1956, marking the start of his military service.
1959: Completion of Military Service
Mills Lane was discharged from the United States Marine Corps in 1959 after serving his country.
1960: NCAA Welterweight Boxing Champion and Olympic Trials
Mills Lane achieved a significant feat in 1960 by becoming the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) welterweight boxing champion. He also competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials in San Francisco for the 1960 Summer Olympics.
1963: Graduation from University of Nevada, Reno
Mills Lane graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a business degree in 1963, marking a significant milestone in his educational journey.
1970: Graduation from Law School
Mills Lane earned his law degree from the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, graduating with the class of 1970, and was admitted to the Nevada bar.
1971: First World Championship Boxing Match as Referee
Mills Lane's career as a boxing referee reached new heights in 1971 when he officiated his first world championship boxing match. The match was between Betulio González and Erbito Salavarria for the WBC flyweight title and ended in a fifteen-round draw.
1979: Appointment as Chief Deputy Sheriff of Investigative Services
Mills Lane took on the role of Chief Deputy Sheriff of Investigative Services at the Washoe County Sheriff's Office in 1979, showcasing his commitment to law enforcement.
1982: Election as District Attorney
Reflecting his growing influence in the legal field, Mills Lane was elected as District Attorney in 1982.
1990: Election as District Judge
Mills Lane's legal career reached a pinnacle in 1990 when he was elected as a District Judge, a testament to his integrity and legal acumen.
June 28, 1997: Referee for the Infamous "Bite Fight"
Mills Lane was the referee for the highly controversial heavyweight championship rematch between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson on June 28, 1997. Lane made the pivotal decision to disqualify Tyson for biting Holyfield's ear, etching his name in boxing history.
November 6, 1998: Retirement from Boxing Refereeing
Mills Lane's illustrious career as a boxing referee came to an end on November 6, 1998, after officiating the fight between Thomas Hearns and Jay Snyder.
November 16, 1998: Appearance on WWE Raw
Mills Lane made a memorable appearance on the November 16, 1998, episode of WWE Raw. Appearing on the Titantron, he made a ruling in a contract dispute between Stone Cold Steve Austin and the McMahon family.
1998: Debut of "Judge Mills Lane"
Mills Lane's television career took off in 1998 with the debut of his court show, "Judge Mills Lane." The show, which ran for three seasons, capitalized on his no-nonsense judicial style.
July 11, 1999: Special Guest Referee at WCW Bash at the Beach
Expanding his presence in the world of professional wrestling, Mills Lane served as the special guest referee for a boxing match between "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Buff Bagwell at WCW Bash at the Beach on July 11, 1999.
2001: End of "Judge Mills Lane"
After three seasons, "Judge Mills Lane" came to an end in 2001. However, Lane's television presence continued with his voice-over work on MTV's "Celebrity Deathmatch."
March 2002: Suffering a Debilitating Stroke
Mills Lane experienced a life-altering event in March 2002 when he suffered a debilitating stroke. The stroke left him partially paralyzed and with limited speech capabilities, impacting his ability to continue his career in the public eye.
December 27, 2004: "Mills Lane Day" in Reno
Mills Lane's adopted city of Reno honored him on December 27, 2004, by proclaiming it "Mills Lane Day." This gesture reflected his standing in the community and his contributions to the city.
May 2006: Public Appearance at Courthouse Dedication
In May 2006, Mills Lane made a significant public appearance at the dedication of the Mills B. Lane Justice Center in Reno. The courthouse, named in his honor, houses the Reno Municipal Court and the Washoe County District Attorney's Office.
June 9, 2013: Induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
Mills Lane was honored for his contributions to boxing with an induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 9, 2013.
December 6, 2022: Death of Mills Lane
Mills Lane passed away on December 6, 2022, leaving behind a legacy as a respected boxing referee, judge, and television personality.