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 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.”
Episodes
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. 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 ...
Enter J.D. Hudson. Assigned to the case by the Chief of Police, this tough no-nonsense cop had knowledge of the streets and the crooks who ran them. The first black detective in Atlanta’s desegregated police force, Hudson headed security for the Ali fight. As the lead investigator for the crime, Hudson’s job was to bring Chicken Man down. But few knew of the mutual respect and friendship they shared from opposite sides of the stree...
Gordon Williams Jr breaks down his dad's life as a hustler and drug dealer. New characters associated with the party and the heist are introduced like Buddy Gloss and Frank Moten, who was known as the "Black Godfather". JD Hudson, the lead detective on the robbery case, reveals a shocking discovery.
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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.
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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.
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Muhammad Ali steps back into the ring for the first time in over three years. The robbers place themselves in position for the heist as the partygoers leave the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta. The mastermind sets his plan in motion.
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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.
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Huge crowds overwhelm the robbers, so they take their stash and hostages before they disappear into the night. Chicken Man is implicated, and JD Hudson is assigned to investigate the robbery.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The families of JD Hudson and Chicken Man share memorable stories about these incredible men.
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Dr. Hobson and I discuss several of the topics and issues that were explored during the Fight Night series.
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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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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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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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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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