Written By Jim Donnelly

In addition to Joe Marshall's, another favorite watering hole for WTEV soldiers was "J.C.'s Office" on Union Street, which was owned and operated by professional boxer Jimmy Connors.

One night, Bob Bassett and I were perched on barstools at "The Office" tipping beers.

I didn't know much about Jimmy Connors, but I learned a lot that night. Mr. Connors was there, and he was verbally boisterous and likely feeling no pain. He got into some sort of argument with a patron, who was soon ordered to leave the establishment by the illustrious owner. The young black man was quite verbal himself on his way out.

After he left, Mr. Connors was fuming, ranting and raving. He walked up behind Bob Bassett's bar stool said something to the effect of: "Why, if that punk comes back in here, I'll..."

At that point, he put his hands around Bob's neck from behind and started violently shaking Bob forward and back. Bob didn't react at all, except to express a sort of troubled look on his face.

As I said, I didn't know much about Mr. C. I felt a duty to come to the aid of Mr. B.

I reached out, and put my hand on one of Mr. Connor's wrists, and said "Hey, stop that..."

I never saw it coming.

The next thing I knew, I was getting up from the floor, and my left ear was in a great deal of pain.

I later found out that my ear had been boxed by a professional boxer. It was sore for a good couple of weeks.

Not that long after that, J.C.'s Office was destroyed by fire. I swear I had nothing to do with it.

It was probably 35 to 40 years after The Round One Knockout, I got a chance to see Jimmy Connors while shopping in the Market Basket supermarkert.

I woulnd't expect him to recognize me. I told him the story, he kind of chuckled and didn't doubt that it happened.