Biking Priest Amado Picardal's Views on Boxing! Manny Pacquiao vs. David Diaz

I read a couple of very interesting reads concerning biking priest Amado Picardal’s views on boxing in ight of Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao's win over David Diaz.And oh! There are some questions I’d like to ask the biking priest.

From the CBCP News:

Redemptorist biking priest Amado Picardal clarified that he will not apologize to the irate fans of Manny Pacquiao who were angry at him because of his comments about boxing as a brutal sport.

Picardal bluntly stated in his blogspot last week that he is not being thrilled about Pacquiao’s victory and he refused to hail him as a hero.

“I am probably one of the few who is not rejoicing over Pacquiao's victory. I am appalled at the sight of two boxers trying to hurt each other and knock each other down. I cannot stomach nor can I glorify violence. I am never impressed by anyone who proves to be a better or more brutal fighter in the ring,” Picardal said.

A-Kid: Who or what made you watch a replay of the fight in the first place? What was your reason?


”Boxing is the modern day equivalent of the gladiatorial combat in ancient Rome. These fights among slaves were organized by the Emperors to entertain the masses so that they can forget their problems. Of course, boxers don't try to kill each other, but many have been maimed or have even died,” he added.

A-Kid: What are you trying to imply here? What is the real score with this statement? Is there more here than meets the eye? Please give us a clue. Do give us a hint.


“I believe that brutal sports such as boxing have no place in civilized society. We should stop considering boxers as heroes. If the only thing we can be proud of is our boxers like Manny Pacquiao--shame on us,” he further commented.

A-Kid: I think we are getting a little bit overboard here, sir.


His comments received a lot of insulting remarks from Pacquiao fans for the past days.

“I will not apologize to anyone for expressing my opinion nor will I tolerate any insult or abusive language (in this blog),” Picardal said in his recent post.

Instead, he moderated the comments section.

“Speaking of heroes, we are the only country who considers our boxing champions as heroes. Muhammad Ali, the black heavyweight champion, was never considered a hero in the US, rather it was Martin Luther King, the civil rights leader,” he said.

A-Kid: A parallelism here, if I may. If, and just if, Manny Pacquiao is the Philippines’ Muhammad Ali, who, in your opinion is the country’s Martin Luther King? The answer to this question is the answer to all questions.


“Heroes are not just objects of admiration, they are role models. I wouldn't want our little boys to grow up thinking they can become heroes by using their fists and beating up other boys,” added Picardal.

A-Kid: What could be possible answers to a hypothetical survey on Filipino children’s modern day heroes or role models? And if Manny Pacquiao tops the survey’s results, what would be the children’s reasons for choosing him? Just a few guesses here: Tsampyon si Manny! (Manny is a champion!) Magaling na boksingero si Manny! (Manny is a good boxer!) Matulungin si Manny! (Manny shares his blessings!)



And from GMANews.TV:

Irate fans of World Boxing Council lightweight champion Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao bombarded the blog site of biking priest Amado Picardal, who said last week that Pacquiao should not be considered a hero.

Picardal said that while he will not apologize for his statements, he had to moderate the comments section of his blog to limit the entry of nasty comments.

"I will not apologize to anyone for expressing my opinion nor will I tolerate any insult or abusive language in this blog (so) I am moderating the comments section," he said in his blog (amadopicardal.blogspot.com).

A-Kid: And who insulated who in the first place?


He said he was "amused" with the irate reactions of some of the "Pacquiao fans," saying their comments "reveal what kind of person they are." Besides, he said the Philippines is the only country that considers boxing champions as heroes.

A-Kid: What are you trying to say here?


Picardal said US heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali "was never considered a hero in the US." "Heroes are not just object(s) of admiration, they are role models. I wouldn't want our little boys to grow up thinking they can become heroes by using their fists and beating up other boys," he said.

A-Kid: With regards to your Ali statement - Are you sure? Are you really sure? Are you really, really, really sure? Are you so sure that you are willing to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee?


Picardal's decision stemmed from several comments posted on his blog chiding him for being a cynic.

"Shame on you, instead, for being a cynic...in a time when we, Filipinos, have very little to rejoice about, such small victories by our countrymen, whether in boxing or in other fields should be celebrated without cynicism or even criticism," said blogger xzellenz.

Xzellenz said that comparing boxing to gladiatorial combat is, "to say the least, baseless, misinformed, and unjust (stupid, if i may add)."

"I love the fact that you are voicing out your opinions, but here is what I think — I think before you criticize the sport of boxing, you should first clean your own backyard…the "sins" of boxing are far less than the sins of the Catholic Church… why not blog about those things, eh?" xzellenz added.

Another blogger using the name “rag" said, "comments like yours are really uncalled for. and coming from a priest… geesh!" He chided Picardal for his "crab mentatility."

Blogger “laruku" defended Picardal, telling his critics to "at least show some respect, you can still voice out your criticism in a very constructive way." Blogger “Fallen Scholar" said offered to pray for Picardal.

Picardal, a priest who is also a university professor and academic dean based in the southern city of Davao, became known as the “biking priest" since he started riding long distances on bikes to push his advocacy for peace and good government.

A-Kid: What made you start riding long distances on bikes? To push your advocacy for peace and good government?


Why did Manny Pacquiao go into boxing? What are the reasons that made the Pacman choose boxing as a career? Know more about the man and his past and you will be surprised. Why does Manny Pacquiao continue to fight? For fame? For money? For his family? For the Filipino people? For the country as a whole?

You have a reason for riding. Manny Pacquiao has his reasons for boxing. And for sharing.

I have nothing against the biking priest. The above are questions – just questions. But truth be told, it appears that the biking priest got carried away with his views and all. It’s my opinion – personal or otherwise. And I kid you not!

"The AnitoKid loves boxing!"

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