The 22-year-old Jacksonville, Fla., sailor was walking to his vehicle after leaving a bar Saturday when he was suddenly knocked out, the (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union reported.

The man, who was taken into police custody in March on suspicion of domestic battery, was at the bar alone before the attack took place, the newspaper said.

A police report said he felt extreme chest pain when he came to after the blow. He saw the phrase "Wife Beater" sliced into his flesh after pulling away his blood-soaked shirt, the Times-Union said.

He told police he waited till Monday to contact authorities about the incident because he was afraid his probation could be compromised.