His elder brother Jason Pagara is also a professional boxer. During his teens, Pagara won a total of 10 gold medals in Palarong Pambansa.
Professional career
Pagara made his professional debut on August 18, 2011, at the age of 17, defeating fellow debutant Sandy Cajil via TKO in the second round at Cebu IT Park, Lahug, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines. On October 8, 2011, he defeated a tough fighter, Shabani Madilu of Tanzania via unanimous decision showcase in Pinoy Pride IX held in Bacolod, Philippines. On March 24, 2012, during the Pinoy Pride XIII held in Cebu City, Pagara knocked outThai visitor Phupha Por Nobnom in the second round. During the Pinoy Pride 24 on March 1, 2014, Pagara knocked out former WBOAsia-Pacific Indonesian champion Isack Junior in the very first round at Solaire Resort & Casino, Paranaque City. On April 11, 2014, he stopped also an Indonesian fighter Skak Max via TKO in the third round held in his hometown at Maasin City, Southern Leyte Pagara wasted no time by gaining his first ever world title, the IBF International Super Bantamweight belt against Hugo Partida. He demolished the Mexican via TKO in the first round at the Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Cebu City on June 21, 2014. In his first international fight held at Dubai World Trade Centre, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on August 7, 2015, Pagara knocked down his Mexican opponent, Jesus Rios on the very first round, defending his IBF Inter-Continental Super Bantamweight title. The 21-year-old boxer caught Rios with a strong straight right punch behind the ear that immediately knelt him on the floor. After his foe regained his consciousness, Pagara delivered numerous shots on Rios' head and made referee Bruce McTavish stopped the fight with more than a minute left on the first round while Rios literally still holding the ropes. On July 10, 2016, Pagara sustained the first ever loss in his professional boxing career after his challenger Cesar Juarez of Mexico stopped him at the 8th round, leading to Juarez's victory in the main event of Pinoy Pride 37 in San Mateo, California. After the fight, Pagara, with a neck brace attached was taken out of a stretcher and rushed to the Stanford Hospital in nearby Palo Alto. He was later cleared by the doctors after undergoing several tests.
