Mills Lane, Duel Referee Mike Tyson When Kuping Evander Holyfield Dies

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Mills Lane, the referee who led Mike Tyson's duel while biting Evander Holyfield's ear, died on Tuesday. He is 85 years old.

Lane suffered a stroke in 2002 and her son, Tommy, said that her father's health condition worsened recently before being hospitalized on Friday.

He died at his home in Reno, Nevada, which he lived with his wife, Kaye, and two sons.

"There is a bit of relief because he is not trapped in that condition, but we will all miss him," said Tommy, quoted by Marca, Thursday.

A boxer who won the NCAA championship in 1960, Lane bagged a 10--1 win-loss record as a pro before finally working as a referee.

Mills was the referee when Holyfield won the heavyweight title from target Douglas, and again when Tyson was disqualified during his second fight with Holyfield after deliberately biting the ear of The Real Deal.

Lane leads more than 100 title fights, sharing the ring with great people like Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes and Lennox Lewis.

However, boxing is just his weekend job, Lane is also a judge and regional prosecutor, respected for his justice and resilience - just like he is in the ring.

"In addition to his legendary status in boxing, Mills B. Lane is a pillar of justice in Washoe Regency. He is a dedicated regional prosecutor without further ado that prioritizes victims of crimes and public safety," Washington District Attorney Christopher J. Hicks said in a statement.

"My family and I, as well as the entire Washington District Attorney's Office, mourn the loss. May he rest in peace."

Mills Lane worked until retiring in 1998

Born November 12, 1937, intensifies Georgia, Lane took a boxing shot while serving in the Marine Corps. After leaving, he registered at the University of Nevada at Reno, where he graduated with a law degree in 1963.

He started as a referee a year later and worked until retiring in 1998. The former judge then starred in his own television show, "Judge Mills Lane" for the next three years.

Lane was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2013.