Willett returns from shooting and wins

The boxing comeback often is the result of a broken- down fighter with nowhere else to turn.

Adam Willett's comeback, however, is not the typical pugilistic comeback.

Last April, Willett was shot outside of a deli in North Bellport. The bullet separated his bile duct from his liver and still is lodged in his abdomen.

Thursday night, with the scars still dotting the right side of his stomach, Willett (2-1) returned to defeat Sharieff Hayes (0-3) via four-round unanimous decision in a heavyweight fight at the Plattduetsche Park Restaurant in Franklin Square.

All three judges scored the bout 40-36, giving Willett all four rounds. "He came to fight and so did I," Willett said. "At day's end, I got what I wanted. Next time, I'll be in way better shape and come to drop somebody."

Willett, a Bellport native, had a standout amateur career that included a trip to the 2005 World Championships and a national PAL title. His pro career, which began in 2009, did not quite live up to the amateur fanfare.

In only his second pro bout in December 2009, he lost a four-round split decision to Garrett Wilson. Four months later, he was the victim of the shooting, that left him comatose.

After fighting his way back to health, Willett found himself back between the ropes and armed with the promotional backing of Star Boxing.

So it was only fitting that he entered the ring to Eminem's "Not Afraid." As he was being announced, ring announcer Joe Antonacci said: "We're glad to have him back."

The sizable Bellport contingent roared, and Willett went to work by establishing his jab early in the first round.

At the end of the third round, with his back to the ropes, he stunned Hayes with an uppercut.

With only three bouts under his belt, it will take some time for Willett to fight his way into contention. But this comeback isn't about contending or winning a world title, at least not yet. It is only the first step in what he hopes will be a successful ring return.

And with the scars still visible from the bullet that nearly ended it all, Willett came back in a big way.

In other action, Wyandanch's LaQuan Lewis was knocked out and through the ropes at 2:17 of the second round, courtesy of a single right hand from Kamil Laszczyk (2-0, 2 KOs). Lewis is 0-7.