Sometimes termed the "Lewiston Larruper" and later "Poor Ole Rex",[1] Layne became a top contender in the early 1950s, although he never fought for the heavyweight title.

Despite this he notched victories over many top rated boxers of his era, including heavyweight champions Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott.

[2] Rex Layne was born on June 7, 1928 in Lewiston, Utah and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

When the army sent out a call for boxing candidates at Sapporo, Japan, he won a heavyweight tournament for his troops in the region.

Rex Layne was a Salt Lake City sugar beet farmer when he won the 1949 National AAU Heavyweight Championship.

Layne was quickly becoming one of the most well known and promising contenders of the era, but on July 12, 1951, he lost by 6th round KO to Rocky Marciano.