War of the Warriors Preview Story March 2025

For his latest boxing card, Doug Long is bringing back a classic theme.

The promoter, who always stresses that his events are much more than just boxing, is next set to host War of the Warriors on April 12 at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Scranton East in Dunmore.

Long first used the theme in 1995 after seeing it when current Scranton Irish Boxing Club head trainer Gene Reed competed on a card in South Africa. Months later, Long promoted his own War of the Warriors at the former Genetti Manor in Dickson City.

“It was different and everybody loved it and I thought I'm so established with the different themes so let's take the theme to a higher level in connection with the new Gladiator movie that came out recently,” he said. “Let's bring the gladiators right into the facility with visual images and stuff like that.”

In his last few shows, Long has started giving away prizes as a way of thanking the community for their support.

“We've given away $6,000 so far and there will be a lot of surprises on the next show,” he said. “It's going to be a lot of fun with the theme from beginning to end.”

The card is scheduled for 16 bouts with 12 local boxers taking part. Dylan Rodriguez, 14, of Scranton is set to make his debut on the card.

“I feel like I'm ready,” Rodriguez said. “I'm excited. I'm not that nervous and I think I'm ready for it.”

Rodriguez has been training for about two years and said he is excited for the chance to fight in his hometown.

“It feels more calming to have people around me that I know,” he said.

Christopher Tayoun, 16, of Clarks Summit, is also scheduled to have his first fight on the card.

“My dad was a boxer so I would go to the gym with him when I was younger and I just recently thought of doing it because I went to one of the fights at the Holiday Inn and I decided I wanted to try to do it and it just started from there.”

Tayoun began training steadily in November.

“I am a little nervous but I just have to trust my defense, trust my offense and just roll with the punches,”he said.