On October 26, 1970, Muhammad Ali triumphantly returned to the world of boxing in Atlanta, Georgia. But every national front-page headline the next morning featured the story of one of the biggest heists in history. At the center of it all - a hustler named “Chicken Man”. Fans arrived in Rolls Royces delivered from New York City. Adorned in vibrant fur coats and dripping with diamonds, they grabbed engraved invitations then strutted into the arena. The sold-out crowd stood and cheered when the first-round bell rang, minus two empty seats. After the fight, many celebrating the victory, including top black mafia leaders, headed to Chicken Man’s house with invitation in hand. Instead of women and wine greeting them at the front door, each walked into the barrel of a sawed-off shotgun. On FIGHT NIGHT, J.D. Hudson, one of the first black detectives in Atlanta’s desegregated police force helped lead Muhammed Ali into the ring. The next day, he was assigned to the robbery by the chief of police. When asked by a journalist years later, “When did the investigation end?” J.D. summed it up perfectly, “When everybody was dead.”
Fight Night Behind-The-Scenes 4: Cat Daddy is born
Kenny Burns and Jeff Keating share an emotional moment on set. And Kenny Burns gets a part as the one and only CAT DADDY.
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3 Sept 2024
Fight Night Behind-The-Scenes 3: Is that Don Cheadle?!?!
Kenny Burns and Jeff Keating reminisce about their first days on set and what it was like meeting the STARS for the first time.
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3 Sept 2024
Fight Night Behind-The-Scenes 2: We Gotta Deal!
Kenny Burns and Jeff Keating relive the ups and downs of getting a Hollywood deal.And how all the STARS align.
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3 Sept 2024
Fight Night Behind-The-Scenes 1: Inception
Kenny Burns joins Jeff Keating in studio for the first time since the project ignited more than 20 years ago to discuss how they both learned about the story.
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11 Jan 2021
Reflection
Dr. Hobson and I discuss several of the topics and issues that were explored during the Fight Night series.
4 Jan 2021
In Memoriam
The families of JD Hudson and Chicken Man share memorable stories about these incredible men.
28 Dec 2020
Aftermath
The mastermind of the heist pays the ultimate price. JD gets the promotion he has worked so hard to obtain, and the heat from the police finally catches up to Chicken Man.
21 Dec 2020
From Atlanta To The Grave
JD Hudson and his partner investigate the stash house. Chicken Man tries to make his family feel safe despite all the publicity to the contrary. The robbers face the wrath of Frank Moten and the other gangsters.
14 Dec 2020
Into The Lion's Den
JD Hudson and his partner Joe Amos get a tip about where the robbers are hiding out. Chicken Man flies to New York to face Frank Moten and The Council of Twelve.
7 Dec 2020
Where The F*ck Are My Keys?!
Huge crowds overwhelm the robbers, so they take their stash and hostages before they disappear into the night.
30 Nov 2020
Everyone That Showed Up Got Held Up
The partygoers are in for a shocking surprise when they arrive at Chicken Man's house. And when Chicken Man shows up, he realizes his world is about to be turned upside down.
23 Nov 2020
Fight Night
The mastermind sets his plan in motion.
16 Nov 2020
If You Build It They Will Come
In this episode we explore how Atlanta was poised to host the huge bout between Muhammad Ali and Jerry Quarry. Plus, Chicken Man tries to make last minute plans for the after-party.
9 Nov 2020
Chicken Man
In this episode, we're visited by the ghost of one of the lead characters, learn the background of the afterparty and discover the mastermind of the subsequent heist.
2 Nov 2020
A Hustler's Life
Gordon Wiliams Jr breaks down his dad's life as a hustler and drug dealer.
26 Oct 2020
The Case of a Lifetime
Could Atlanta’s homegrown version of Shaft save the hustler and solve the crime?
16 Oct 2020
Introducing: Fight Night
On October 26, 1970, Muhammad Ali triumphantly returned to the world of boxing in Atlanta, Georgia. But every national front-page headline the next morning featured the story of the largest black-on-black heist in history.
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201 ratings
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