CARTERET, New Jersey – On a Sunday afternoon at a venue about 30 minutes outside of New York City, the 12-year boxing journey of Kirc Bargamento finally reached the pro level.

The 30-year-old Bargamento stepped into the ring at the Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center for a junior lightweight bout that was scheduled for four rounds. In the other corner was Freddie Adams, a 27-year-old southpaw from Dallas with two prior losses against no wins in his career. 

Walking to the ring to the tunes of Pop Smoke’s “Dior,” Bargamento admits there were butterflies in his stomach. But for a self-confessed “adrenaline junkie” whose idea of fun is skateboarding, cliff jumping and the occasional skydive, this was just another thrill left to seek.

Ninety-three seconds later, Adams was on the canvas for the 10 count following a right hand from Bargamento.

“It felt amazing, man. All the hard work that I’ve put in, displayed it out there,” Bargamento said. “Wish I could have gone a little more into it rounds-wise, but I’ll take what I can get.” 

The cliche of “break a leg” is rarely more applicable than it is in this situation. If not for a broken leg, Bargamento may have never put on a pair of gloves. 

Bargamento had been the captain of the Butler High School football team, excelling as a wide receiver and cornerback for the Bulldogs. He figured he’d eventually play college football somewhere, but all of those dreams came crashing down in the fourth game of his senior year.

“It was like a quick little bubble screen, I caught the ball and the defender got my leg at the top. It was a freak accident, but my leg got bent over,” Bargamento says of the incident that led to him breaking his fibula bone and dislocating his ankle.

With no colleges seeking his services on the field, 18-year-old Bargamento turned to boxing as a way to vent his frustrations. Those rounds on the bag eventually led to sparring sessions, which led to him signing up for the New Jersey Golden Gloves, and about a total of 20 amateur fights. 

The highlight of his amateur career was in 2022, when he won the 139lbs novice Golden Gloves title. Bargamento later competed once at a national tournament, losing a decision in his first fight at the 2023 Last Chance Qualifier in Colorado.

One of the biggest perks of his involvement in boxing was getting to meet his favorite boxer, Manny Pacquiao. Bargamento, who was born in Cebu province in the Philippines and raised there until age seven, got to meet Pacquiao in 2018 when he came to New York to promote his fight with Adrien Broner. 

Bargamento admits he was nervous and could barely get out any words, but he did manage a photo with Pacquiao.

“Coming into my freshman/sophomore year in high school, Manny Pacquiao was really up in the rankings there, and every family party I had was because of him,” Bargamento said. “When he fights, everybody comes together,” 

Among the people who have witnessed his journey from the amateurs to the pros is Shadasia Green, the WBO super middleweight titleholder who trains alongside Bargamento at Wall Athletics in Oakland, New Jersey.

“Super proud of my teammate, my brother, not surprised about the outcome,” said Green, who started boxing under Barry Porter, who was in Bargamento’s corner on Saturday.

“He is talented and one of the hardest working people I’ve ever stood alongside with. His career will flourish.”

What happens next is a matter of the business of boxing. As one of the biggest ticket-sellers in the local amateur and now pro scene – on account of his day job as a trainer at Wall Athletics – Bargamento will likely get calls from local promoters to bring his crowds to club-level shows.

While there are few 30-year-old prospects that are considered blue-chippers, Bargamento is getting his chance to chase some thrills and see how far his fists can take him.

“I just want to get myself to the point where my name is out there, hopefully get a title shot one day,” Bargamento said. “The sky’s the limit. I just have to keep working hard and trust in the process as I always have, and thank God, he’s really blessed me, he’s got my back.” 

“I use boxing as my outlet to get my frustrations and anger out. It’s my getaway. I like to compete, and I like to push myself to the limits. I don’t even know where my limits are now, but I’m gonna keep striving.”

Ryan Songalia is a reporter and editor for BoxingScene.com and has written for ESPN, the New York Daily News, Rappler, The Guardian, Vice and The Ring magazine. He holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at ryansongalia@gmail.com or on Twitter at @ryansongalia.