Ex-amateur boxing champ Adam Willett shot near NY mall

[NYboxing]

NORTH BELLPORT, N.Y. (AP)—Police say a former U.S. amateur heavyweight boxing champion has been shot and critically injured during a confrontation not far from his suburban New York City home.

Adam Willett was shot once in the torso in the parking lot of the Miracle Plaza Shopping Center in North Bellport, in Long Island about 50 miles east of New York City.

Police are searching for the shooter. They say they believe the Wednesday night shooting may have been a botched robbery attempt.

The 28-year-old Willett has been hospitalized in critical condition.

Willett became the U.S. amateur champion in 2006. He was an alternate on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team in Beijing after losing in the trials.

(source AP via Newsday)

[Jamel]

I started boxing the same year Adam did in the same gym... I got a call the other night from close friends when it happened, all I know now was that he was supposed to have surgery earlier today again but I haven't heard anything yet. I'm praying for him to pull through...

[LRSJ]

I too have been praying for him to pull through. Has anyone heard anything else?

[WBoxing]

Thats tragic! Praying he makes it through!!

[Jamel]

I heard he's been pulling through fine as of last night

[Dennis]

I heard he's been pulling through fine as of last night

That is good news.

[primp]

I hate reading these things. Wish him a speedy recovery. Back in the day I had a friend, Charlie Polk, out of Gary, Ind.. Dundee had been inquiring about him. Would have had a bright boxing future. Shot and killed over a dice game.

[NYboxing]

update from AP:

NORTH BELLPORT, N.Y. -- Two people have been arrested in the shooting of a former U.S. amateur heavyweight boxing champion outside a mall in New York's Long Island.

Darryl Austin and Rasalaam Jackson pleaded not guilty to assault charges Wednesday in the April 7 shooting of Adam Willett. Their attorneys say the two deny the charges.

The boxer was shot once in the torso in the parking lot of the Miracle Plaza Shopping Center in North Bellport, 50 miles east of New York City.

Police say Austin was being questioned following a prior weapons possession arrest when he implicated himself and Jackson in the shooting.

Former coach Mike Murphy says Willett is recovering at a relative's home.

Willett became amateur champion in 2006. He was an alternate on the 2008 Olympic team in Beijing.