Father Pierre “Jalapeno” Pepper donned the boxing gloves for the first time as part of his parish's fundraising Saint Patrick's Weekend Punch-Up, ahead of Ireland's national day for its patron saint. The pugilistic priest, 37, became a national sensation after an online video taunting his opponent went viral, leading to a television appearance. In the video, Father Pepper quoted from the Bible and warned parishioner Jared “The Artful Dodger” Madden, his opponent, of his impending doom while five other priests look on menacingly. “The Lord says vengeance is mine ... say your prayers, because judging time is close at hand”, his opponent is told. Father Pepper said the boxing match had “taken a life of its own”. “From kids I visit in school to older people on sick calls, they're all behind it”, he said. Hundreds of locals in the small town of Banagher in County Offaly, on the banks of the River Shannon in central Ireland, packed into a marquee at the back of a pub Saturday night to see a number of locals fight, but the clash of priest versus parishioner was the main event for most. White collar boxing, where men and women from “white collar” professions take part in fights, has become a popular method of fundraising for charities in Ireland in recent years.

Fr Pierre Pepper puts on his vestments in the Sacristy of St Rynagh's Roman Catholic Church in the village of Banagher County Offaly March 2 , 2015. Fr Pepper has spent the last two months training for an amateur boxing match to raise proceeds for charity. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

Fr Pierre Pepper drinks a cup of tea with his rescue dog Cosmo in the Parochial House next to St Rynagh's Roman Catholic Church in the village of Banagher County Offaly March 2, 2015. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

Fr Pierre Pepper reacts during training at the Aspire gymnasium in the town of Clara County Offaly February 12, 2015. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

Fr Pierre Pepper turns over a tractor tyre during training at the Aspire gymnasium in the town of Clara County Offaly February 12, 2015. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

Fr Pierre Pepper delivers mass at St Rynagh's Roman Catholic Church in the village of Banagher County Offaly March 2, 2015. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

Fr Pierre Pepper takes part in a private mass for Nuns in La Sainte Union Des Sacres Coeurs Convent in the village of Banagher County Offaly March 2, 2015. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

Fr Pierre Pepper shares a joke during a religious quiz in St Rynagh's Primary School in Banagher County Offaly March 2, 2015. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

Fr Pierre Pepper prays in St Rynagh's church with his rescue dog Cosmo at dawn in the village of Banagher County Offaly February 13, 2015. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

Fr Pierre Pepper lifts his dance partner during rehearsals for a charity event near the village of Banagher County Offaly February 12, 2015. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

Fr Pierre Pepper smokes a cigarette before going to his boxing lessons in the village of Banagher County Offaly March 2, 2015. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

Fr Pierre Pepper (2nd R) reacts after defeating Jared Madden (2nd L) during his amateur boxing match in the town of Banagher in County Offaly March 15 , 2015. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

Fr Pierre Pepper is carried aloft after defeating Jared Madden during his amateur boxing match in the town of Banagher in County Offaly March 15, 2015. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

Fr Pierre Pepper (C) reacts after knocking down Jared Madden during his amateur boxing match in the town of Banagher in County Offaly March 15, 2015. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

Fr Pierre Pepper (C) exchanges punches with Jared Madden during his amateur boxing match in the town of Banagher in County Offaly March 15, 2015. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

Fr Pierre Pepper (2nd R) receives instructions before defeating Jared Madden during his amateur boxing match in the town of Banagher in County Offaly March 15, 2015. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)

Fr Pierre Pepper (C) warms up before his amateur boxing match in the town of Banagher in County Offaly March 15, 2015. (Photo by Cathal McNaughton/Reuters)