The Herald-News from Passaic, New Jersey • D3

Saturday, September 3, 2005 BOXING HERALD NEWS D3 Sheika: Winning a belt means the world to me Paterson native and West Pa-terson resident Omar Sheika will challenge World Boxing Council super middleweight champion Markus Beyer tonight at the ICC in Berlin. Below is an ac need a belt. Once I have a belt, I know the sky is the limit for me. I could be the biggest fighter in my division, the most exciting, most marketable fighter there. I'm not trying to feel that terrible feeling anymore, that feeling of coming up short.

I'm very confident going into this fight, just because I know what we had to do to get to this point. I feel more like I'm a hundred percent, with the confidence I really needed. I just believe that we'll walk through this guy and come back with the belt finally. One of the main reasons I feel better mentally going into this fight is that I'm in better shape than I've ever been in. I worked a lot with the sled and doing these different strength and conditioning things, that's been a big benefit for me.

I've been feeling much better by doing that. I'm like, 'Wow, I should've been doing this all That gives me more confidence that I can finish stronger than usual against Beyer. I trained harder than ever (at Four Seasons, Classic Athletic Club in Fairfield and the Bergen County PAL). My conditioning, I believe, is at its best. Before, even though I was in shape, I didn't always train as hard as I should've.

I got tired in the last four rounds against Lacy because my conditioning could've been better, but I learned from that. Joe Carini, a strength and conditioning coach who works with Tiki Barber, at Four Seasons Fitness in West Paterson. We had him in camp this time and he had me doing things I've never done, going up and down stairs, going on the sled. It has given me all that extra conditioning that I'll need for the later rounds. He has just been a big plus for me.

He has strengthened me much more and just helped my conditioning. I never sparred eight rounds on 30-second rests before. We trained using four-minute rounds sometimes, too, and that really helped me. I never did any of those things before. I've finished fights feeling I've matured because I have experience fighting for a championship and I knew that I had to do more.

Even when I spoke to Roberto Duran, one of my idols in boxing, he told me that you've got to bust your butt in the gym because that's where it counts. That's where you make everything hard, because then when you go into the fight everything will be easy. That's what we're looking forward to in this fight. He could be the best fighter in the world, but if we did what we were supposed to do in the gym, we know the fight can be the way we want it to be. I believe I have the ability to fight the way I want to fight and let all that hard work pay off for us.

good most of the time, but when I fought (International Boxing Federation champ Jeff) Lacy, the last three, four rounds, I just felt a little bit fatigued. I've been feeling like that ever since I fought (Scott) Pemberton the first time (two years ago). So after the Lacy fight (a close unanimous decision defeat), I just felt like I had to do something more to finish fights the way I start them off. I basically said, 'I've got to be doing something wrong for my conditioning to die down in the later I felt that I wasn't maybe doing as much or not doing certain exercises that I needed to do to feel strong until the end of fights. Working with Joe, doing Omar Sheika count of Sheika's feelings Friday, as told to Herald News boxing writer Keith Idee.

BERLIN I'm just glad the fight is finally almost here. Because this means everything to me. I know beating Beyer will open many doors for me. It feels like I just Sheika: With Velazquez in corner, fighter hopes for title fgflk i igii i gu3g THREE TIMES THE HARM Eastside High School alum Omar Sheika has lost his first three title shots. Below are the results.

Aug. 12, 2000: Unbeaten WBO champ Joe Calzaghe (39-0, 31 KOs) defeated Sheika by fifth-round TKO in London. Referee Genaro Rodriguez stopped the bout with 52 seconds left in the fifth because of a deep, disgusting cut above Sheika's left eye, the result of an accidental clash of heads at the end of the fourth round. Had the bout been stopped following the fourth, it would've been declared a no-contest. Sept.

6, 2002: Since-dethroned WBC champ Eric Lucas (38-6-3, 14 KOs) out-pointed Sheika unanimously in a 12-rounder in Montreal (117-111, 117-111, 119-109). Sheika broke bones in his right hand during the third round, but never told his cornermen and fought for nine-plus rounds essentially with one hand. The injuries required surgery and an eight-month layoff from training. Dec. 4, 2004: Unbeaten IBF champ Jeff Lacy (20-0, 16 KOs, 1 NC) out-scored Sheika unanimously over 12 rounds in Las Vegas (117-111, 115-113, 115-113).

Sheika hurt Lacy in the second round, however, and re-established himself as a legitimate championship threat by testing Lacy. Sheika was a 7-to-1 underdog entering the fight. KEITH IDECHerald News Beyond the Tale of the Tape Beyer vs. Sheika Here is a look at the numbers. I Markus Beyer Age Hometown Cologne, Germany ITS Omar Sheika 28 Paterson 31897 26-7 (17) 178 5.4 3 0 3 XgsA 112396 -A 32-2(12) 274 0 3 3 8-2 (2) 102 First Pro Fight W-L (KOs) Total Rounds Average Rounds Per Fight First-Round KOs Current Winning Streak Common Opponents Champs, Ex-Champs Fought W-L (KOs) In Title Fights Championship Rounds 5 0-3 29 KYE-RYUNG LEEHerald News Omar Sheika, right, trains with Al Velazquez at the Bergen County PAL in Hackensack.

Continued from D1 understand the importance of having handlers that consider a fighter important, personally and professionally. It was then that he realized that the last time he felt completely comfortable with his cornermen was when Naser and Velazquez cohesively called the shots together. Naser hadn't worked Sheika's corner in nearly four years, but agreed to a reunion 17 months ago only after securing a two-year contractual commitment from his childhood friend. Velazquez didn't want a contract. The West Paterson resident didn't want anything to do with boxing or Sheika, either.

Sheika scarred him emotionally when the fighter Velazquez valued as a second son decided five years ago that legendary trainer Emanuel Steward was the man to help him win a super middleweight title. Steward, the third of eight head trainers Sheika has employed in his eight-year career, lasted one fight, a majority decision defeat of eventual undisputed light heavyweight champ Glen Johnson. Velazquez's pain lasted a lot longer. For him, this wasn't typical trainer-fighter strife. Velazquez only worked with one professional fighter his entire life, one he met as a 15-year-old amateur at Pater-son's Lou Costello Sportsmen Club.

That's where Velazquez initially brought his son, Kyle, to learn how to box because bullies bothered him at school. It is also where Velazquez developed what he believed was an unbreakable bond with a talented, marketable boxer who would win world titles and make all their lives more comfortable. That's why the disloyalty devastated Velazquez, who like Naser, worked with Sheika when Kevin Rooney was his head trainer for his first 15 fights. "I didn't know what was wrong with him," recalled Beverly Velazquez, Al's wife of 36 years. "We didn't even talk for like a week or so after it happened.

It was a while before we talked about it. He wasn't eating right. I would see him wandering around the backyard. He was kind of like lost, because he gave his all to Omar and didn't care about himself. He missed out on a lot of things with the (three) kids, games and plays at school, because he was always with them at the gym.

So he was really, really hurt by it." Velazquez realized later, though, that he would probably feel worse if he didn't help Sheika and Naser try to make the tough Palestinian-American into A a champion before it's too late. They've been working together again for about six months, but the 28-year-old Sheika hasn't fought since losing his third title fight, a respectable points loss to heavily favored International Boxing Federation champ Jeff Lacy. Watching that fight on television was especially emotional for Velazquez, who politely declined Sheika's invitation to at least attend the bout in Las Vegas. He missed Sheika's first two championship challenges as well (see box, page but they're hoping to make up for lost time tonight against Germany's Beyer, a 412-to-l favorite Friday night, according to one online sports book. "Going into all those fights without Nettles and Al, I just felt like something was missing," Sheika said.

"I knew Nettles always loved me, Al always loved me and I always loved them. We never had any hate for each other, but we were all mad at each other for what I did, what they did or whatever. One of us had to step up and say it was time to end it. I just felt like if I wanted to be happy with what I was doing, I had to be a man and make peace with them and try my best to get them back with me. "My first step was to do it with Nettles.

Fortunately, he came back. But I knew Al would be harder to convince because he was more hurt. And he had a family involved, too, which made it harder. But I knew I had to do it. A fighter knows when he's most comfortable.

I had to get focused, get comfortable and stay mentally right. I just knew Al was a big factor in that. So I just kept trying and finally he said yes." Since Velazquez returned to the team, Naser noticed that he is firmer with Sheika than before. Naser also appreciates working with Velazquez because the fatherly Velazquez and Sheika share a different dynamic than Naser and Sheika, who are much closer in age. Velazquez and Naser noticed that they're training a more mature, receptive Sheika these days as well.

The 1996 U.S. Olympic Team alternate has trained harder than ever for this crossroads contest (see diary, page and finally feels like karma is on his side now that him, Naser and Velazquez are all together again. 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. They're technically co-training him this time around, but trust each other completely as Naser provides more physical assistance and Velazquez handles much of the mental preparation.

They all agree that they have no excuses entering the fight tonight, Sheika's fourth title shot in five years. "My son, Kyle, put it best," Velazquez said. "I asked him, 'What do you think, He said, 'Dad, you're always telling people you could make a champion out of Omar, so it's time to put up or shut I said, 'You're right. Let's do Reach Keith Idee at (973) 569-7073 or idecnorthjersey.com. PATERSON- $900 utils 1 mo security Avail 102 (973)980-8464.

TOYOTA 1991 Previa LE All Trac: Loaded, Exc cond, insideout, 145K, ac, wired for TV, $3,500. Call 201-693-7115anytime. LANDSCAPING FT PT immediate hire. Exp. pref.

Must have valid NJ lie. Call 201 -358-6406. ELECTRICIANS Looking for Electrical Supervisor, Electrical Foreman and Electricians. Ex-perienceonly. 973-219-3101 Accounts Receivable Entry level AR Collections Clerk, good phone, verbal org.

skills. Fairfield, NJ. Fax to 973-882-0872 Paterson 2 big br, lg formal dr, Ir, spacicous eik, $1200 utiis 201 -491 -6771 TOYOTA 1994 Camry 25mpg, pmnrf. like new, 561 7 LEXUS 2004 RX 330 AWD full equipped, sunrf, navigation, exel cond, $29,900 (201)444-5398 Exer equip- gazelle $99, inverted tbl $1 99, water rower $650, leather couch chrs, DRset(201)430-3003 PATERSON, Utils, Section 80K, Avail immed. Call (201)921-6980 Cadillac 1979CoupeDeville Exc cond, Runs great.

$1400 Obo (973)754-9090 Toyota 1 994 Co rol la 4cyl 973-632-5617 LODI-3BR apt, avail, now. 2nd fir, $1280utils. Call (973)772-1070 PATERSON: 8 rms, 5BR, 2Fba, $1700utils 12 mo secSect 80k 973-675-1119 FAIR LAWN-lst fir, Lrg 1 Lrg EIK, LR, drvwy prkg, heat incl. New paint 973-636-0320 CARPENTER Min. 3-5 yrs exp.

Own trans, tools lie. 201 -438-3663 LODI 4 Br house for rent, $1800mo. Call for appoint 201-289-0273 TOYOTA 1999TACOMA PRE RUNNER 54,200 miles, 4 cylinder, green with grey interior. 5 speed, fully loaded. $11,995 Call 201-232-5036 Al RV I W- 3V2 RMS, AC UTILS INCL, AVAIL91, CALL 201-945-8113 PIZZERIA Delivery, counter, kitchen help PTFT Palisades Pk area.

Call (201)461-6100 LYNDHURST-Completely Renovated 1 BR Apt, Incls Heat, $900 No pets Avail immed. 201 -956-8962 TOYOTA 2000 Echo: 42K, cond. CARPENTRY New home punch list warr. svc. Need own tools transp.

Some knwldg of all trades. $18hr. fuel allowance. Subs wins. $23hr.

Mount Arlington area. Bill 732-752-0972 Bnfts Avail. Fair View: 438 Harding Place. Sat -Mon, 93-95, 9a-7p. Furn, elects, etc.

HillTwnhs Open House SatSun, 1 -4p -491 Quince Ct. CuldeSac. Exc cond. $410K. 201-760-9256 FSBO.

TOYOTA 2003 RAV 4 Good cond, 36k, CDcass, 2wd, $13,000. (2dl)956-195l PLUMBER Helper Mechanic 3 yrs experience. Top pay, vacation pay holidays, with new construction renovation. Valid driver's lie. Call (201)358-9848 Fa irview-Large Sunny Din, Liv, Kitch, HtHwAC incl New HdWd Firs Paint Non-Smoking env.

No Petsl2Blocktrans $1400 Call 201-674-6688 CH EVY 2002 Astro van AWD, 87k mi, red, running boards, very good shape, loaded equip, best offer, 973-809-8389 VOLKSWAGON- 2001.5 Passat, auto, 4dr, 1 .8 turbo, Ithr, sunroof, CD, mint $12500bo, (973)956-7731 Mercedes 2000 CLK 430 Convertible, silvengar kept Mintconcf.MUSTSEE Askg $32,000 201 321 6660 PONTI AC 2003 SUNFIRE 2dr, 22k mi, Great Condition, Moonroof, $8500 call (201)759-6181 Ford 1993 Explorer Green 100k mi, brand new trans, $1500 2dl -707-4092 VOLVO 1994 850 Wagon, All pwr. very clean, 104K, $3995. 973-244-0763 Me rcedes Benz 1 973 220 137k mi gas engine, vg cond, many new parts $1200 obo (201)387-7399 CHILD CARE Nanny. Nursery school or daycare exp. pref'd.

FT. Must speak excellent Englishman (201)560-0792. Ford 2000 Mustang- Slvr, 39k mi, grt cond. loaded. v8, Volvo 2000 80- Moondust, 64K, Top of the Line, Great cond.

$1 5,450. (201)447-9133 MITSUBISHI 2000Galant plyr, only43K 201.313.9376 PRINTING PRESSPERSON needed on four color GTO press for day shift. 5 years experience necessary. Moonachie area. Call Ron 201 -729-01 00 or fax resume 201-729-0108 FORD Explorer 2002, V8 4WD, 56k, harvest goldtan all leather int, runboards 6 cd, amfm stereo, 3rd row stg Opt, fog Its, snrf ac.

loaded priced for quick sale $15,000. 201-652-6528 email Daniellecmyway.com. Mitsubishi 2001 Gallant ES 4dr, auto, ac, cd, all pwr, 37k, warr. extra clean, $8,800 obo 973-247-0037 CLIFFSIDE PK-Sun94 379 Lincoln Ave. Moving, Yard Sale.

Small pes of furn, Chandelier, tons of dishes, pottery, glass, books, old Victrola records, paintings, Irg size womensclthg, curtains, VCRtapes, gold replica stamps collection, more Volvo 2002 Cross Country cass stereo snrf, new tires, ext Volvo warr 1 00K, 38,000 mi, exc cond $22,700. Call 201 -560-0792 Refrigerator: New Amana 1 week old! Stainless Steel, Bought $11 75, Ask $850 obo201 .894. 1893 MONTCLAIR beautiful 2br apts, avail immed. $1400 $1800. Sect 8 Welcome.

973-746-8255 FORT LEE: CO-OP, 1 BR, 1 Bath, large terrace, view pics online at www.pvrcon sulting.com. $165Kneg. Call 862-703-6884 Westwood: Huge Sale! 57 Euclid Ave. Sat 93, 9a-4p. Yrs of antiqs.TVs, VCRs, collect.

1 Bth.LR.EIKwpantry, mo sec. S(973)246-4160 Move-in! Ridgefield Boro-6 Lg Rms, Good Parking Terriffic 201-450-2855 MOVING SALE 17A Millar Ct.HH items, upright piano, furn, baby items. by appt. 201 -693-71 155 Wood Ridge $400,000 Totally full won't last 201 -803-941 2 GAS ATTENDANT Day night shifts. FT.

Wyckoff. Call Mike or Ed (201)891-9823. CLIFTON: Lrg Mod 3 BR, 2 Ba, 2nd fir, LR, DR. new Kit, $1 600. Owner 973-777-2264 RIDGEFI ELD PARK 37 Ridgefield Ave.

2nd fir, 3 BR, close to city trans 201-724-0370 WYCKOFF 266 Morse Ave. Sat 93 and Sun 94, 10-4pm. Furniture, fridge, household, brick-a-brack, odds and ends. MOVING SALE All Formica Girls 4pc BR Set. $400 obo twin bunk bed set watt.

drawers desk $500bo, wd twin platform bed wdrawer mattress $200. Also futon, 500 btu ac's, tools, pict. frames more! Call 201 -926-3623 family house $1300 heat incl, 1 dr, brand new hkup, Call 973-429-2299 Pemberton: Former Sheika foe waiting for his shot at limelight HACKENSACK-283 Summit Ave. Furniture, electronics, clothing and more! Sat RIVER EDGE $200,000 2Br, 1 Bth Co-op. Walk to NY trans, newer Kit bth, move in cond.

Prin Only. No Pets. Call (201)505-0822 HACKENSACK 2Br, 2nd fir in 2 fam. Prkng. No pets.

Avail 101.201-796-1645 CLIFTON- Nice Area $695, 1 br studio, all util. inc, 973-280-3950 MOVING- Used Fridge (2) furn for sale. Good Cond. Carlstadt area. Call 201 -672-9796 HAWTHORNE -2BR, 2nd utifs.

avail 9 1.973-272-8092 Clifton -Small 2 BR, $815 utls. utlls. EIK, Nr NY Trans 908-451-7500 NEWMILFORD-3BR apt CLIFTON 2BRapt-NO FEE 201-819-5741 Sales Serious about Success Natl Sales Org Seeks Financially Motivated Professionals Proven Sales System Preset, Prequali-fied ApptsNo Prospecting Training Bonus lncentives6-Figure Earning Potential Call Edward 800-440-6885 Hillcrest: Mod 3 BR, 1 Bth prkg, avail now. $1 3001 V2 mo. sec.

973.790.7865 aft 5:30 North Arlington- Lg 6 Rms, 3br, 2bth, WD hkup, $1650 utils.Nopets. 201-519-3145 Customer Service Data Entry Multi-task! Assist customers via phone data entry. must have knowledge of MS Office, EDI exp helpful. Fax Resume: 973-523-7912 NORTH BERGEN- 2 BR, utils, No pets (201)401-8265 HO-HO-K US $645,000 OPEN HOUSE 333 Racetrack Road 3 BR, 1.5bth Colonial Cape, LRwfrpIc, FDR, Fam Rm weating area, fin. bsmnt, gar, prof, landscped fenced in yard, close to schools, NYC trans, shops low taxes.

ByOwner 201-444-2014 DIAL A BLONDE Your Place 973-851-3759 North Bergen $549,000 Palisades Section, CliffSide border, 4 family, Great investment (201)233-0812 Sofa Bed: Qn Jennifer Conv, dark Green wtone on tone Damask pattern, exc cond. $300 obo. fisherlandmsn.com for Pics or 201 -825-0777. DINING ROOM SET- 8pc Marble leaf sidebar $600obo; White lacquer hutch cabinet $300obo: Office desk, solid wood $100. 201-384-4058 HONDA 1996 ACCORD New brakes, AC, 226K, $1600best.

201-868-0501 OFFICE MANAGER Small family business. Computer bookkeeping strong interpersonal, organizational skills required. (201)722-1634 infocampwalden.org SOFALOVE SEAT: Custom made, 100" (S) Burgundy, Camelbackdown. Exc cond, 2 yrs old. Moving! Pd $4K Sacrifice at $550 ea or $1000 both.

Mirrors, pics misc! (201)803-9330 HONDA 1997 DEL SOL Black, new interior, tires, paint, stereo, exc. cond, 77K 201-568-1445 Continued from D1 proached Burchfield first about Pemberton meeting Beyer (32-2, 12 KOs) on Saturday, but Pemberton thought the fight was worth much more than the $37,000 purse Sheika accepted. Sheika, of course, had a lot less leverage than Pemberton, thus the West Paterson resident readily accepted short money because this opportunity out-weighs the unimpressive purse. Pemberton predicted that Beyer would win a unanimous decision against Sheika, but his heart is with the fighter he beat by a suspect split decision and a 10th-round technical knockout. "I sparred with Markus Beyer (in 1999) and he can box a little bit," said Pemberton, whom Sheika dropped three times in their two fights.

"But Omar can punch a little bit, too, and that gives him a great chance of winning. I just don't think Omar will get a fair shake if it goes to the scorecards. He has to knock this guy out." After Sheika signed to box Beyer, Pemberton was curiously coerced into a four-fighter elimination tournament to receive a shot at the Beyer-Sheika winner, a right Pemberton seemingly secured by becoming the WBC's No. 1 contender. He would've made $100,000 for facing Australia's Danny Green (20-2, 19 KOs) on Oct.

23 in Perth, Australia, but that fight was postponed indefinitely Thursday due to a back injury Green sustained during training. If Pemberton overcame Green, he was to fight the winner of an Oct. 29 bout between Canada's Otis Grant (37-2-1, 17 KOs) and Italy's Cristian Sanavia (35-3, 12 KOs). Pemberton never signed the Green contract, though, so he hopes Green's extended recovery will help him circumvent the tournament to get a third fight against Sheika and his first title shot, all on the same night. Sheika, however, is contractually obligated to an immediate rematch with Beyer if he wins Saturday, so the mistreated Pemberton might have to continue waiting for a respectable payday.

"What I'm hoping for is that Omar Sheika blasts the (bleep) out of Markus Beyer," Pemberton said, "and there's no reason for a rematch. Then me and Omar can fight for the WBC championship on pay-per-view, and finally get paid the money we deserve." Reach Keith Idee at (973) 569-7073 or idecnorthjersey.com. Ortley Beach Ocean Block 3Br, Fla rm, bath, extras $675K 973-216-7296 DISPATCHER TRUCKING Looking for highly organized individual foroutbound shift at Carlstadt facility. We offer competitive salary and benefit package. For interview please fax resume with salary requirements to Human Resources at 201 -935-6437 HONDA 1998 CIVIC, 2dr Blk, sunrf, cd, good cond, 62k mi, 1 owner, $6500.

Call 973 696-3404 or 201 247-2343 Palisades Park, Studio, Priv Ent.No Pets Non Smoking Environment. $800 utils inc (201)947-0276 HONDA 2000 CRV EX loaded 4wd 64k, slvr, 23 mpg $11,900. (732)895-7213 SUZUKI 2004 GSX-R 750 Bluewhiteblack, 51 00 orig miles. Yoshimura carbon fiber slip on exhaust pipe. Great condition! Never dropped, leather iacket.

helmets incl. All matching. Call Mike 201-522-1314, Ramsey PARAMUS HORSE FARM Full bd, daily TO.grn pastures $475mo 201-843-4441 ISUZU 1998RODEO All pwr, tint, alloys, Ithr, mis $8200bo. (201)440-4890 PASSAIC PARK -3rd Fir, 2 Refrig, Stove, Mic, $950 ht 973.865.01 1 6 Drivers READY TO Looking for OTR Company drivers for Reefer Van div. 2 yrs exp.

for Premier Ice Cream Carrier. Excellent Benefits 401 Retirement Out5-10days 2002-2006 Conventionals Call or go online: 800-831 -4832 OR www.schusterco.com JEEP 1994 Grand Cherokee Laredo Blk, V8, loaded, exel cond, new tires, custom 17" rims, 96k, Must See! $4995. (20l)677-fl55 PASSAIC PARK: 7 ROOM OFFICE BLDG. NEAR RT 21. CALL (973)778-8024.

TEANECK OPEN HOUSE Sunl-4pm 64BlauveltSt (corner of Lee Blauvelt) 3BR, 1.5 bth, hrdwd firs, cac. corner lot. 2 car gar. Call Melanie REMAX 201-615-7567 PASSAIC- Townhse, 2 br, fam rm, Ir, dr, 1 V2 ba, terr, cent htac. gar, 1 prkg, $1500 973-223-1006 JEEP 2001 Grand Cherokee Larado 6 cyl, 64k, 1 own (973) 941-8309.