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Omar Sheika | |
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Born | Paterson, New Jersey, U.S. | February 20, 1977
Nationality | American |
Statistics | |
Weight(s) | Light heavyweight Super middleweight |
Height | 6 ft (183 cm) |
Reach | 70 in (178 cm) |
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 44 |
Wins | 32 |
Wins by KO | 21 |
Losses | 12 |
Omar Sheika (born February 20, 1977) is an American former professional boxer and multiple time super middleweight world title challenger. He is of Palestinian descent.
Raised in Paterson, New Jersey, Sheika attended Eastside High School [1] and has been a resident of Woodland Park, New Jersey. [2]
Sheika compiled a successful amateur career, capturing a National Middleweight Championship at National AAU Boxing Tournament in 1996. [3]
Sheika has enjoyed some success in his pro career. His first fight was against Billy James. Sheika won the fight by TKO on the second round. Sheika stayed undefeated for about a year.
Sheika was involved in ESPN Friday Night Fights "Fight of the Year" in both 2003 and 2004. [3]
Sheika defeated now-imprisoned boxer James Butler in late 2004. Sheika also beat future IBF light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson, who went on to beat Antonio Tarver. [4]
Omar Sheika won against Garrett Wilson on March 26, 2010, by a 4th-round TKO. On June 18, 2010, Omar continued his winning streak, beating Jim Strohl by a 3rd-round TKO.
Sheika suffered his tenth career loss on October 15, 2010, against Adrian Diaconu, with Diaconu winning by unanimous decision after ten rounds of boxing despite Sheika flooring Diaconu with a right earlier in the fight.
On April 23, 2011, Omar lost by unanimous decision against Garrett Wilson after twelve rounds of boxing. The fight was for the vacant USBA Cruiserweight title.
On January 21, 2012, he beat Charles Hayward by unanimous decision over 10 rounds for his title belt, the inaugural "Bad and Mean" Cruiserweight title, though it was fought at the light heavyweight limit of 175 pounds..
On April 27, 2012, Sheika fought Yusaf Mack, losing via unanimous decision. The fight was for the USBA Light Heavyweight title.
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Sheika is 19-1 (13 KOs) overall when Velazquez is in his corner, and went 5-0 (4 KOs) when Velazquez was his head trainer from 1998-2000. The Eastside High School alum is 22-3 (14 KOs) with Naser in his corner, 3-2 (1 KO) with Naser as his head trainer.
Paterson native and West Paterson resident Omar Sheika will challenge World Boxing Council super middleweight champion Markus Beyer tonight at the ICC in Berlin.