‘Should He Be Allowed So Close to This Man’s Ear?’: Rare Picture of Mike Tyson and Mills Lane Had Fans Worried

Now you don’t tie a goat to make friends with a tiger. So boxing fans went helter-skelter when they came across a dapper Mike Tyson hugging legendary referee Mill Lane who passed away yesterday.

In plain sight, the jest alluded to the Boxing Hall of Fame referee’s most famous adjudication. The rematch between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield on 28th June 1987 nose-dived from the Sound and Fury to The Bite Fight.

Read More: Fans Make Strange Discovery in Iconic Mike Tyson Photo From 1997

Mitch Halpern, who had supervised the first bout between Holyfield and Tyson on 9th November 1996, was chosen for the rematch. However, because of concerns raised by the Tyson camp, Mills Lane replaced Halpern at the last minute.

Somebody help Mr. Lane!

The pic shows a well-turned-out Mike hugging Lane, who used a wheelchair. A stroke in 2002 left the Hall of Famer paralyzed and incapable of speaking.

The reactions started with the typical gags given the duo’s history.

burgleking – And he lets him that close 🤭

makskoti234 – Should he be allowed so close to this man’s ear?

dorknobdotcom – He gonna bite the refs ear now

Soon, the meeting between legendary sporting figures acquiesced.

fruitown5_to_l – Mills lane..best to ever referee a fight..

ct_bully_blues – He was the best referee

eboogie691 – Respect!

The second challenge to regain the lost WBA title began with The Real Deal dominating the first two rounds. Then, during the third round, the crowd saw Holyfield freeing himself from Tyson’s clutch. Tyson had chewed off a piece of his opponent’s right ear. Referee Lane stopped the match immediately as he saw a bleeding Holyfield.

With the doctor’s assent, however, the match continued. But the two heavyweights got into a grappling duel a second time. Mike utilized the opportunity to bite Evander’s ears once again.

By this time, luck ran out for Mike and the team. Lance stopped the bout and disqualified an enraged Tyson. Later, during an interview, the referee mentioned that from his experience, he could make it that Tyson had deliberately bitten Holyfield’s ears.

Rest in Peace: Referee Mills Lane

Mills Lane was a former member of the United States Marine Corps. His love for boxing took him to Olympic trials, but unfortunately, he couldn’t go beyond the semi-final. His debut as a professional welterweight ended with a first-round technical knockout. After that, Lane fought till 1967, winning ten straight against a single loss.

Taking up law, he became the District Attorney and later Judge of Washoe County. His reputation as a no-nonsense judge spilled over to the refereeing career that commenced in 1971. Presiding over more than a hundred matches, he retired in 1998.

‘Let’s get it on’ was the catchphrase most associated with referee Lane. Yet, despite his strict administration of boxing rules, he never lost the respect of boxers per se. Fans and boxing lovers will remember the highly regarded referee who disqualified the mighty Iron Mike for his straight-shooting attitude to boxing. 

Watch Out for More: The Bite Fight