Fight Night

122

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.”

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Recent Reviews
  • Recznik
    Untold Atlanta History.
    While listening to this podcast, you will overlook the commercials to get back to the content. This is a fascinating story about two men, and how their lives were intertwined. This deserves the series that is being made about it.
  • cooper9r
    Kirksey
    Kirksey Nix just admitted involvement in Gone South?
  • Yourone12345
    Poor writing
    Great story, terrible writing! Every episode sounds like it was written by a 4th grader. It’s a shame because the overall story is interesting, but clearly they’re trying to hard for cliff hangers and a lot of it has very cheesy writing.
  • truecrimegal08
    iloveatl
    Unbelievable story! I love Atlanta history but this is the first I had heard about this heist. Could totally see this picked up as a TV series.
  • it's just Gigi
    Ads Ads Ads :(
    More commercial breaks than actual content. Couldn’t get past it. Too bad. And don’t get me started on how utterly poor the audio quality is.
  • Stlrgrl
    Awesome
    I learned so much about the history of Atlanta. And it is a great story I had never heard of and am so glad I tuned in. Thanks MFM for the pod suggest.
  • poloreno23
    Awesome!!!
    Loved the stories of everyone involved especially the family remembrance of there dad’s.
  • Drummersmitty
    So good, I want more!
    This needs to become a movie!!
  • CSDB26
    CSDB26
    Fantastic! Listen now! You will not be disappointed!
  • Larry Goldstein
    Fight Night is epic!
    Fight Night is a truly thrilling story, and Jeff Keating tells it in a way that kept me glued to his podcast throughout. Loved the premise, loved the characters, and the storytelling, and the fact that it's a true story makes it even better! Kudos to everyone involved with Fight Night.
  • jhjoyner
    True Crime Story at it's Best
    Unbelievable true story from 1970 in Atlanta. Each episode leaves you wanting more!
  • tentonbricks
    Good story, but...
    It would be better if a full 1/4 of each episode wasn’t devoted to ads. Podcasts aren’t TV.
  • mrssmkl
    Compelling!
    A fascinating story! Not only am I learning about an incredible historical night but also getting a deeper appreciation of Atlanta’s rich history.
  • ASR1971
    Fight Night
    Producer Jeff Keating does great work seeing the scene and building interest as the episodes progress.
  • JennMit03
    Great story and storytelling!!
    I am loving this podcast! Such a great story and I cannot wait for the next episode! Great job!!!
  • JasonWinn
    Fight night!!!
    I love listening to this story I can’t wait till Monday’s now to hear the new episode.
  • LI Jackhammer
    The Captivating Chicken Man!!
    Best podcast I’ve ever !!!
  • thechaosgolf
    Compelling, Authentic
    The story is compelling. The characters are authentic. The production is first rate. Hard to stop listening, can’t wait for the next episode.
  • Hottamalemom
    Enthralling
    What a great reporting of history! I was hooked immediately!!!
  • trwpost22
    Great true crime podcast set in 1970’s Atlanta
    Story telling and pacing are brilliant and as an Atlanta native I’m really enjoying the vivd historical picture of our city 50 years ago. Kudos to host Jeff Keating and the rest of the Production team, can’t wait to hear the end of the series and really looking forward to the planned film with Will Packer Productions.
  • Bronx Rich
    Suspenseful Atlanta History
    A world wide audience focused on a heavyweight boxing match taking place in Atlanta. The comeback fight for Muhammad Ali. And that’s just the side story.
  • Migguin
    Wow! It’s just keeps getting better!
    What an incredible story and told so beautifully!! It’s such an interesting slice of history centered around the south, boxing, crime.....and so many incredible characters. This story needed to be told and as a podcast it works perfectly. I’m hooked!
  • Robo3131
    Deserves to be a movie
    Complex character studies told by the people who shepherded Atlanta into cosmopolitan status. Keating is a natural investigative story teller.
  • mymacguy1
    Mind Blowing Crime History!
    I can’t wait to find out the ending of this tale! A must listen for any fan of Boxing, of Crime and Suspense!
  • devin pease
    The best Podcast
    I’ve learned so much from this podcast I give you a five star rating need to listen to this podcast really well done really good researching and good history thank you for doing this podcast hours looking forward to listen to it I start listening since day one when it first came out I hope there’s more podcast like this from you
  • ObinAtl
    Fight Night Is A Knockout!!!
    This epic podcast has it all - sports, history, crime, murder, mystery and much more - and presents it in a riveting and engaging manner. The storytelling is superb and captivating and the audio from the main characters is priceless. Great job and highly recommended!!
  • Cool dude55436
    This podcast is absolutely amazing!
    Jeff is such an amazing story teller! So excited for episode 3!
  • A Fotopoulos
    Oh Man! Love this story
    A friend of mine sent me this to listen to last week and I was hooked immediately. I love hearing the history of Atlanta through this lens. I grew up hearing local stories from my parents, but never have heard about this side of Atlanta.
  • Foodlatcher
    A Riveting Story Told By Decatur’s Own Jeff Keating
    I’m hooked and you will be too once you hear the first installment. Filmmaker Jeff Keating has been researching and writing this story for over 20 years and has exclusive interviews and inside information. An important piece of Atlanta history!
  • CrimeMama
    Fight Night
    I’m hooked. The back story of cops, hustlers, the 70s, historic Ali fight totally intriguing!
  • DJ Roziroz
    TRUE STORY? WOW!
    I’ve lived in ATL my whole life and never knew this happened. What a fascinating story with such rich characters. I hate that I have to wait another week to hear the next one.
  • Vincent Black Lightning 52'
    Fight Night
    Captivating story that is well told. Great use and of interview recordings that were accumulated over the years which gives this story depth and color. Leaves the listener eager for the next episode.
  • Southern Buffalo
    Fight Night
    A fantastic story perfectly told. You can’t make this up. Simply superb.
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