The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-26
Tex RlcRdrd Tells Dolly What Distinguished the Big
 Willard Moran Fight From All the Others He's Staged
(No in Series of Articles About Recent Visit to New York
Fly DOLLY DALRYMPLE

Wo ELIEvE me. it was the swell
 est audience that ever greeted
 a prize fight. was the one at the Madison Square garden the night that Willard and Moran met in the ring; that's what distinguished the fight from all the others. It was quality as well as quantity; the four hundred at tended dressed in their best bib and tucker and the predominance of femin- ity lent an air to the occasion that was decidedly refined and elevating."
 Thus in a nutshell did MT. Tex Rick ard express himself to me one after noon during a recent visit to New York about the big Willard-Moran fight which created such a sensation in the sport world short time ago.
 You are wondering, I'm sure, how I managed to meet Tex Rickard and what oil earth woman would know about a. prize fight, or care, and so I'm going to tell you.
 l was with a party of friends at the Waldorf for tea; among the number was distinguished Texan; glancing at the throngS which were moving through the foyer of the big hotel, he chanced to spy MT. Rickard, and turning to me, ne said:
 How'd you like to meet Tex Rickard and get a story with him for your pa- per, you know, he's from my state"
 Tickled to death," l replied quickly.
 NO sooner said than done, and the dis tinguishred gentleman, having corraled MT Rickard, brought him over and in- tioduced him to our party.
 Tex Rickard looks more like society swell than anything else l can think of; young fellow who DH enjoys tango teas.
 He is slight, with dark florid skin and black hair; his eyes are alert and broWnlsh gray; sometimes humor comes into them sometimes gravity mostly gravity, l, should say; they are never very quick, never very cynical nor upon his person is there any sign of opulence nor glitter of flashy stones; no aggres- slve tie, no glarng spats; silk shirt; no latest cut; no mannerisms; just a very nice, young man, quite unpreten- tious and not an ear-mark of the sport
 I was quite ill at ease I must con- fess, because I've never seen a prize fight in my life and I was rather handi- capped as to what to talk to this young man about; however, he took the matter in his own hands, and after the first round, While 1 knew we were very un- evenly matched, I felt that I could hold my own for few rounds anyway
 Women have arrived at the point Where they are interested in prize fight fng as was evidenced by the enormous number in attendance at the Willard Moran fight. Prize fighting IS not the brutal thing that many imagine. Those who have never seen a fight think this. On the contrary, since it has come down into the class of scientific playing, it is beautiful game
 'In what way is it different from the old methods? asked
 Just this,'' Mr. Richard said People are used to thinking back million years, when boxing match was only blood set to seconds, murder to minutes, and death to the finish. Why, there hasn't been enough blood drawn in these last few fights to make transmission. It's a busi- ness now, and the littlest man in the world can lick the biggest into a vail for help in 10 seconds, if he knows the game. It isn't reach and punch; it's brains and skill.'
 'Umph! the skill part of that goes, but don't recollect having heard of any Hall Caine type of upper frontal bone behind the ropes,'' I murmured incoherently.
 What's that?' he interrupted
 Nothing, nothing," I apologized You were about to say"
 T was about to remark that when SCOISS OI WOHeH III WOnQ6Flul eVenlnS gowns and gorgeous jewels, belonging to the smartest society set in America at tend prize fight, it is an indication that the fight is refined entertainment, an exhibition of scientifically trained physi- cal and mental development"
 Have you made much money out of stalking prize fights?" I asked.
 About a quarter of million for my self" MT. Rickard smiled back with complacence
 That isn't bad,' said in a pleased manner-thinking I might be able to worroy along on that little sum if the worst came to the worst.
 'The three fights that I've been re- sponsible for,'' MT. Rickard said, have brought me that much money"
 They ought to. considering the price that was paid for tickets" I Nandly suggested.
 That's largely exaggerated" he cor rected. The highest pliced ticket for the Willard Moran fight brought $1O5; the regularly price was $25."
 What do you do, and where do you live while you are not getting ready for