Ailing Lane gets lift from Hall nomination

It hasn't been a great year for Mills Lane, but it could have a wonderful ending for the former referee.

The 75-year-old from Reno fell and broke his hip in April, almost 10 years after he suffered a debilitating stroke, and the surgery and subsequent recovery have been slow. But Lane's name is on the ballot for the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and if he is voted in, his son Terry said it would do a lot to lift his father's spirits.

"He's been through a lot," Terry Lane said. "He spent seven weeks in a rehab hospital, and it took a lot out of him. But we told him about the Hall of Fame, and it brought a smile to his face."

Lane, a former boxer who refereed from 1964 to 1998, worked more than 100 world title fights and is a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame. The 2002 stroke left him paralyzed on his right side, and he can barely speak.

"He still loves boxing," Terry Lane said. "When we see a fight on ESPN Classic that he worked, he gets excited.

"If he were to get into the Hall of Fame, it would give him a lift emotionally."

The voting ends Oct. 31, and the 2013 class will be announced in January. The ceremonies will be June 6 to 9 at the Hall, located in Canastota, N.Y.

■ GIAMPA'S NEW JOB - Former fight judge Chuck Giampa has a new job - ratings chairman for Ring Magazine.

Giampa, who retired from judging fights after 24 years, will oversee the ratings panel for boxers. The magazine has been rating fighters since its inception in 1922.

■ STILL WAITING - Francisco Aguilar's term on the Nevada Athletic Commission expires Oct. 31, and he's not sure if he'll be retained by Gov. Brian Sandoval.

"I haven't heard a thing," Aguilar said Saturday. "I'll continue to serve until I'm told not to."

The commission's next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 30.

■ TOP RANK SIGNEE - Two-time Mexican Olympian Oscar Valdez is the latest fighter from the London Games to sign with Top Rank.

Valdez, who reached the quarterfinals in the bantamweight division, joins Puerto Rico lightweight Felix Verdejo with Top Rank. Valdez, who signed a five-year deal, is expected to make his debut Nov. 3 in Mexico as a featherweight. His opponent for the six-round bout has yet to be determined.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.