Replacement referee Lane puzzled by Tyson's actions

      Mills Lane has seen a lot in the 96 world championship fights he has refereed.
      And he's quick to point out the sport he loves, especially at the amateur level, isn't without its problems at the professional level.
      "Boxing has many black eyes," the 59-year-old Reno resident said. "There are a lot of things that make you shake your head."
      But Lane said nothing topped what he saw in the ring Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden.
      "It's the most bizarre thing I've ever seen in boxing," said Lane, who stopped the Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield rematch after the third round by disqualified Tyson for biting Holyfield twice, once on each ear.
      Lane was a Friday replacement for Mitch Halpern, who withdrew after the Tyson camp's heated protest against him. Lane warned Tyson after the former heavyweight champion bit a chunk of flesh from Holyfield's right ear.
      "I didn't see (Tyson) do it," said Lane, a Washoe County District Court judge. "But when I looked at (Holyfield's right ear), I knew damn well what it was.
      "I could see the bite marks."
      After having Holyfield cleared to continue by ringside physician Dr. Flip Homansky, Lane deducted two points from Tyson, one for biting and another for a push. Lane said there is no rule stating a boxer is disqualified for biting an opponent.
      "It's a clear violation of protocol," Lane said. "But with an outright intentional foul you have to take a stand."
      When Tyson bit Holyfield's left ear, again drawing blood, Lane disqualified Tyson, ending the fight.
      It was the seventh time Lane had officiated a Tyson fight. He said he had only called two previous fouls against Tyson, both in the second fight with Razor Ruddock on June 28, 1991. Saturday also was the first time Tyson lost with Lane in the ring.
      Lane said Tyson gave no indication he would unravel Saturday.
      "I actually thought he was very focused when I talked to (the two boxers) before the fight," Lane said. "I don't know why (he bit Holyfield)."
      Lane said he has never had a biting incident in a fight he's refereed, although he has heard of it happening. He also didn't think it was strange of Tyson to forget his mouthpiece before starting the third round.
      "I wouldn't say (boxers forgetting their mouthpieces) happens all the time," Lane said. "But it's certainly not rare."
      Lane believes Tyson's future may be hurt more by what happened after the disqualification.
      "I don't think the question will be about the (biting) fouls," Lane said. "What he did afterward in the melee, that's the question. I can't speak for the (Nevada Athletic Commission), but he turned into something that nobody could recognize (after the disqualification)."
      Lane, who waited in the corner for the ring announcer to declare Holyfield the winner by disqualification while Tyson went ballistic in the ring, was told Tyson took a swing at him after the disqualification.
      "I don't remember him taking a swing at me, and I know I wasn't hit," Lane said. "I don't think (Tyson) was swinging at anybody in particular."
      Lane praised the MGM security and Las Vegas police officers for not allowing it to turn into a free-for-all in the ring.
      The bizarre ending ruined what Lane was expecting to be one the most memorable fights he's worked.
      "I thought it was going to be a great fight," Lane said. "It was very physical. It would have been a helluva fight, no question about it."