Kosport Magazine Presents: The Underrated Coach in Boxing
Kosport Magazine brings you an exclusive look into the world of boxing with a spotlight on one of the most underrated coaches, Justin Gamber. While his accomplishments may not have garnered mainstream attention, Gamber has proven himself to be a mastermind in the sport.
Gamber first made a name for himself by guiding Caleb Plant from the amateur ranks to a world titleholder. But his journey in boxing began long before that. Hailing from South Dakota, Gamber started boxing as an amateur when he was just a kid. Although he was never consistent with it, he did compete in some national tournaments. In 2006, Gamber moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and began coaching under mentor Coach Christy Halbert, an Olympic coach. He worked with top amateur fighters such as Terence Crawford, Keith Thurman, and Rau’shee Warren, who have now become successful professionals in the sport.
After gaining valuable experience working with top amateur fighters, Gamber started coaching lower-level pros in Nashville and eventually moved to Las Vegas. It was there that he began working with Andy Ruiz Jr. as an assistant coach. However, Gamber eventually decided to move back to Nashville to open his own gym. He was driven by his desire to turn amateur standout Caleb Plant into a world champion. When Plant turned pro, Gamber was by his side every step of the way, helping him achieve his dream. The success story of Plant and Gamber’s role in it is now part of boxing history.
Kosport Magazine had the opportunity to speak with Gamber about his coaching journey and his time in the corner of Andy Ruiz Jr. He shared insights into his experiences and revealed the strategies he used to get the best out of his fighters.
Speaking about his time with Ruiz, Gamber recalls that he was able to figure out how to get the best out of the talented fighter. He also mentions that Ruiz could be unpredictable, sometimes not showing up for training. But when he did show up and was willing to work, Gamber pushed him hard, citing their fight against Matthew “Gator” Greer where they achieved their goal of stopping Greer in the first round, a feat even Deontay Wilder had not accomplished.
As for the hardest puncher Gamber has ever seen, it’s none other than Andy Ruiz Jr. Gamber recalls being concerned for the safety of sparring partners, as Ruiz had the ability to do significant damage in the ring. His power was something to be respected and feared.
When asked about the best gym fighter he has come across, Gamber mentions Jonathan Reid, who was on “The Contender” reality series and fought William Joppy for the WBA middleweight title in the mid-2000s. Although Reid did not achieve great success in the professional boxing world, Gamber remembers him as a vicious fighter in the gym.
As we wrap up our conversation with Coach Gamber, it is clear that his passion and dedication to the sport of boxing have led him to become one of its most underrated coaches. Kosport Magazine commends Gamber for his contributions to the world of boxing, and we look forward to seeing more of his success in the future.
