O'Hara retired from the ring in 1953 with a claim to the Minnesota professional heavyweight title after a win over Don Jasper.

[10] During the 1945 Golden Gloves, a rivalry began between O'Hara and Earl Adkinson that followed the fighters into their professional careers.

[8][11][12][13] O'Hara's unanimous decision over Don Jasper on August 27, 1953, gave him a claim to the Minnesota professional heavyweight title, though there was some controversy, as the fight was only six rounds as opposed to ten.

[44] "I always thought Jim was the wisest guy I ever met," said international boxing referee Denny Nelson.

A journalist for over 50 years, Barton received in 1952 the James J. Walker Award from the Boxing Writers' Association of New York.

[2] Another brother, John O'Hara, was a professional middleweight boxer with a record of 18 wins, 13 losses, and one draw.

[54][55] His commemoration reads, in part:"He was an iconic figure on the streets of St. Paul [Minnesota], a man recognized by countless of his fellow citizens.