Started my career AWOL from Army. Under assumed name

I was one tough son of a *****. Flatted superior officer, went AWOL, and
started my pro career under an alias name. I was ?

 

Yes jm, Thomas Barbella flattened his Captain at Fort Dix, went
AWOL from the army, and started his pro career under the alias
Rocky Graziano, where he became a sensation of the boxing world.
I, as a youngster along with my dad saw many of his exciting fights.
Far and away Rocky was the most exciting fighter I ever saw prior to
the Tony Zale wars which took everything out of Graziano. He was never
the same...

 

Yes T, I would say that Rocky, who threw his right hand like he was lobbing a hand grenade, though not stylistic, exploded on his opponent with severe
damage. Too darn bad we only have film of Rocky against Tony Zale, and
Tony Janiro, and Ray Robinson, when he was past his prime...Rocky
though not the greatest MW, had to be the best streetfighter I ever saw,
and the most thrilling...

 

T, all my old boxing paisans are dead, and I have no one to talk about
the old days....I who as a youngster shook hands with Ray Robinson BEFORE he turned pro, feel like a dinosaur these days. That's one of
the penalties of getting on in years. Well it beats the alternative...cheers T...

 

Thanks GOM !. I won't tell you my age, but I will say that my
Social Security number is in Roman numerals...