The Incredible True-Crime-Gansta Story Behind 'Fight Night'

Sometimes a story is so unbelievable, you feel like it can’t possibly be real. That’s the prevailing sentiment after one episode of the true crime podcast, “Fight Night.” However, the tale of a brazen heist pulled off the night of Muhammad Ali’s 1970 comeback bout is one of the wildest stories you’ll ever hear. It doesn’t take long to see why Peacock made this into a star-studded limited series led by Kevin Hart; Samuel L. Jackson; Taraji P. Henson; Terrence Howard; and Don Cheadle. Before it premieres Sept. 5, take a look at some of the highlights of the podcast and find out the real story behind “Fight Night.”

It Was Originally a Comedy

Before we get into the true crime of it all, we need to share an interesting tidbit about the project’s origins. According to Vanity Fair, it started as a remake of “Uptown Saturday Night” starring Kevin Hart and Chadwick Boseman. After the “Black Panther” star’s passing, Hart was reluctant to return to the idea, but he told producer Will Packer it had to be drastically different from what they were originally developing.

“It was kind of a sour spot attached to that world, and I didn’t want to touch it at all—being that me and Chadwick were so close,” Hart said.

What Went Down on Fight Night

Local hustler Gordon “Chicken Man” Willams was tasked with throwing a Vegas-style afterparty following the 1970 comeback fight of Muhammad Ali. It would be attended by all of the richest and most powerful crime figures from around the country. Except someone else saw the party as an opportunity.

As the fight ended, the heist crew burst into the home where the party was being held and took control of the residence. As guests began to arrive, they were met by masked men with guns, who forced everyone to strip down to their underwear while they stole their cash and jewelry.

With so many notable criminals in attendance, everyone knew the fallout would be violent and severe.

Why Was the Fight in Atlanta?

The fight against Jerry Quarry was Ali’s big comeback after being forced to relinquish his championship for refusing to go to Vietnam. The controversy around his stance meant other cities weren’t willing to host the fight. Atlanta, which was trying to establish itself as the center of the “New Black South,” stepped up.

Who is the Chicken Man?

“Fight Night” podcast host Jeff Keating explains that Gordon “Chicken Man” Williams was a local hustler and drug dealer who was very well connected, so he was the perfect person to tap for this huge post-fight afterparty. Kevin Hart plays Chicken Man in the series.

They Robbed the Black Mafia Family

Among the questionable characters in attendance at the party were some very powerful bosses, rumored to be members of the Black Mafia Family. This included Frank Moten, “the Black Godfather.”

Who is Frank Moten?

According to the podcast, Frank Moten was allegedly an extremely powerful crime boss known as “the Black Godfather,” and reportedly one of the leaders of the Council of 12, the bosses of the Black underworld. He’s the last person you’d want to steal from. Samuel L. Jackson plays him in the series, because who else is going to be “the Black Godfather.”

Everyone Assumed the Chicken Man Was Involved

During the robbery, the suspects had everyone at the party strip down to the underwear and lay down on the cold cellar floor. Chicken Man just happened to wear long underwear that night, which led some people to think he knew what was going to happen. Combined with the fact that the crime took place in his house, he became public enemy No. 1.

The police and local media even started acting like he was involved, which put him and his family in danger.

The Chicken Man ended up flying to New York and pleading his case directly to Frank Moten and the Council of 12.

Who Was the Real Mastermind?

The podcast posits that another alleged underworld figure, Richard Wheeler, was the actual mastermind of the robbery. He flew back to New York to be seen publicly watching the fight on closed circuit TV at Madison Square Garden. However, he may have left his right hand man behind to commit the robbery. He and Moten reportedly did not like one another, so this was Wheeler’s chance to get one up on everyone. Terrence Howard plays him in the series.

No One Knows Exactly How Much Was Stolen

Since the victims weren’t exactly the type to fill out police reports, no one knows exactly how much was stolen at the party. It’s rumored to be somewhere around $1 million, hence the series’ title.

The Embarrassment Was More Insulting Than the Money

For these powerful men, it wasn’t necessarily about the money, it was about the embarrassment of being stripped down to their underwear and not being able to protect the women in their lives. It’s really about pride.

JD Hudson’s Investigation

Atlanta police detective JD Hudson knew the Chicken Man from around town, but he didn’t think he was involved in the heist. Hudson was working security for Ali that night, so he was at the fight. His connection to the people who were robbed made him the best choice to lead the investigation. Don Cheadle plays him in the series.

How Did the Black Mafia Family Find the Robbers?

In the podcast, Hudson explains that one of Frank Moten’s bodyguards saw two of the robbers fleeing the scene. He followed them, allegedly torturing and killing them for intel on the rest of the crew. This was followed by the brutal deaths of other people who were rumored to be connected to the crime.

Things Got Very Bloody

If you steal from the Black Mafia Family, there are definitely consequences. As Detective Hudson continued his investigation, he ran into complications as alleged suspects kept turning up dead.

How Did it All End?

Even Richard Wheeler ended up dead, allegedly killed by his right hand man, who was later arrested and sent to prison for other crimes.

With the heist putting extra attention on his business, the Chicken landed in prison on drug charges. When he got out, with the help of a friend from prison, he resumed his business. A deal went wrong, but luckily he was able to talk his way out of it and make things good with his partners. After this final close call, the Chicken Man got out of the game for good and turned his life around.

Chicken Man Became a Pastor

Gordon realized it was time for a change, stopped doing drugs and found the lord. His son described this as a genuine transformation for his father.

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