Gamber guides Plant to middleweight world title

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The dream of coaching a boxer to a World Title became a reality Sunday, Jan. 13 for Huron native Justin Gamber. Gamber is the trainer for new IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb “Sweethands” Plant, who defeated former champ Jose Uzcategui by unanimous decision in the main event of the Premier Boxing Champions event at Los Angles’ Microsoft Theater. The fight card was aired on FS1 nationwide.
Gamber, who has been working with Plant (18-0, 10 TOKs) full time since 2013, is a lifelong boxing devotee who was been working in the sport for more than a decade. In the afterglow of the big title match, Gamber said he’s still processing the achievement and the reality of handling a world champion.
“I was ecstatic when (Plant) was announced as the winner,” Gamber said. “It was kind of surreal. It’s still sinking in ... in increments.”
The Fight
By most accounts of the boxing press, Plant dominated the fight and won 8 rounds during the 12 round fight. That included a fast start that saw Plant establish a furious pace as both fighters exchanged punches and Plant secured two knockdowns of the champion. It was only the third and fourth times, respectively, that Uzcategui (28-2) has been knocked down in his pro career.
Gamber said while he was encouraged by his fighter’s success, he was concerned with the pace he was setting.
“I think he got caught up in the moment, and even though he was doing well, I was concerned about the pacing,” the coach said. Towards the later rounds, when Plant ostensibly had enough rounds won to coast to a win, Gamber was heard on the telecast advising the contender to stay with the jab and keep his distance. In other words, fight smart.
“Get back to the stick (jab),” Gamber told Plant between rounds.
The official scorecard had Uzcategui winning three of the last four rounds, and the famously hard puncher unleashed dangerous strikes throughout the contest. Plant suffered a cut above his right eye that swelled and bled, but did not affect his ability to ultimately finish the fight.
When the bell rang on the 12th round, Plant raised his hand in triumph and stood on the ropes, clearly believing he had won. Still, it takes a dominant victory to take the belt off a champion in a decision. Gamber said he was never worried the judges would call for Uzcategui’s hand to be raised in controversy.
“I was never concerned and there was never a doubt in my mind,” Gamber said. “It’s so crazy because it’s here now and it finally happened.”
The Aftermath

Gamber said that until the moment of elation, it was purely stressful.
“I aged at least 3 or 4 years,” Justin said. “I hated to see him take damage like that.”
Plant was emotional upon being awarded with the championship belt, citing his 14 years of nonstop work and the death of his infant daughter, Alia, who passed away in 2015 from a rare medical condition. A night of emotional significance followed, as the Sweethands Team celebrated the victory and dealt with it’s significance. The damage Plant took, Caleb’s proposal to girlfriend and boxing commentator Jordan Hardy (she said yes) and even more aftermath added to the epic night.
What’s Next
Gamber, coaching in boxing since 2006 and training Plant since 2013, says that although the title win is a huge goal that’s been reached, the historic victory is not the end of anything.
Rather, it’s the beginning of a new era for both their careers. Some parts of Plant’s training camp will not change. There is always another opponent, always another obstacle. Other parts will change, as Gamber says they always do.
“Our work changes from fight to fight because we’ll see things in the fight that we can improve on,” Justin said. “Caleb and I are both students of boxing and we’re always reading and watching, studying.”
The Passion
Justin found his passion for boxing from an early age. Although his passion would be stoked through involvement with a youth boxing club, it would be years before he realized it would be his life’s work.
Justin’s father Howie Gamber knew early on his son’s obsession with the Sport of Kings was more than a passing fad.
“I always loved boxing and we always had the big fights on,” Howie said. “And it just went from there.”
Justin got his start in the sport with the Huron Boxing Club Hardrockers in the 90s. Perhaps Huron’s most famous boxer, Marty Moeding, was the coach at that time.
“It’s where I got my start,” Gamber said.
“I hope (Huron folks) got a chance to tune in and see the fight, and to see that the little boxing nerd is doing something in the sport.”
While Justin was a competitive amateur boxer, he knew his passion and knowledge of the sport wouldn’t translate to a pro career.
“I would never go and watch him,” Howie said. “I would have to go outside and take a break. It’s great that he got into coaching, because I don’t have to be on pins and needles the whole time.”
Later in life, he realized coaching could be the ticket to a long term career in his favorite sport.
“I knew it was something that he loved because he would call me and tell me about different fighters he was working with,” Howie said. “One day he called me and said he had a good one in the gym … someone really special, and it turned out to be Caleb.”
The Future
In popular team sports, when a club wins a championship it’s celebrated and then everything resets. There’s always a new season and there’s always the chase. In boxing, the chase only lasts until you are on top. After that, the game is staying on top. On keeping your title.
For Plant and his team, the rush of fame is a welcome reminder that that long climb was worth it. And also that there is plenty of story yet to be written.
“Boxing insiders are saying Caleb has a shot at being the next big star in boxing, but me, I don’t think too far ahead,” Gamber said. “We just get back in the gym and get back to work.”