The Wild True Story Behind Peacock’s Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist

As a lifelong fan of both boxing and gripping true crime stories, I can’t help but feel captivated by the tale of the Fight Night heist that unfolded in Atlanta back in 1970. Having lived through the tumultuous times of the Civil Rights Movement, it’s fascinating to see how events like this not only reflect the spirit and energy of the era but also serve as a testament to human resilience and the indomitable will to survive.

Back on October 26, 1970, I found myself standing tall once more in the boxing ring – a place I’d been absent from for an extended period of nearly four years. The reason behind my hiatus was a deeply personal one: I refused, based on my religious beliefs, to enlist in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. My decision to stand up against the war led to some significant challenges, including an indictment and conviction for draft evasion, a verdict that would later be overturned by the Supreme Court.

At the packed event in Atlanta Municipal Auditorium, an unprecedented gathering took place, as Bert Sugar, a renowned boxing writer, put it – “the most powerful and financially influential Black assembly until that moment.” This spectacle captivated various notable figures such as celebrities, civil rights activists, politicians, and even underworld figures. When Ali secured the victory through a technical knockout after an impressive three rounds, Atlanta exploded with jubilation. That night became a significant cultural landmark for the city, solidifying its identity as a “Black Mecca” within the American South.

On that significant night, according to civil rights activist Julian Bond, it was far beyond just a fight. It was a pivotal moment for Atlanta. That evening, Atlanta truly established itself as the political hub of the American black community.

The latest limited series from Peacock, titled Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, is currently streaming the first three episodes and revolves around a single after-party that resulted in hundreds of attendees being robbed, left without their clothes, and forced to surrender their money and valuables. Adapted from the popular 2020 iHeart podcast of the same name, Fight Night narrates the transformation of a local con artist named Gordon “Chicken Man” Williams (portrayed by Kevin Hart), who initially organized the party at the behest of Frank Moten, New York’s infamous crime boss and the “Black Godfather” (Samuel L. Jackson), along with his New Jersey associate, Richard “Cadillac” Wheeler (Terrence Howard). As the series unfolds, Gordon finds himself under suspicion for the heist.

How the heist went down

After Ali’s victory, approximately 200 people rushed to a private home in Atlanta, expecting a glamorous, Vegas-style party. However, what they found were masked men wielding sawed-off shotguns who forced the guests into the basement where they were held hostage and robbed of their cash and possessions.

In 2004, Creative Loafing, an Atlanta alternative newspaper, documented that due to the scarcity of floor space in the basement, the gunmen made their victims pile up on top of one another. The article mentioned that money and jewelry were gathered into pillowcases. This process continued for hours as more people arrived. By 3 a.m., the semi-clothed victims were stacked like logs of wood on top of each other.

Following the assignment of J.D. Hudson (portrayed by Don Cheadle), one of Atlanta’s early Black detectives on the integrated police force, to the case, many attendees at the party showed resistance when it came to speaking with law enforcement. Despite just five formal complaints being submitted, it was calculated that the thieves had stolen at least $1 million in valuable items.

At the center of suspicion for organizing a heist to settle debts, Chicken Man – the host of the party with a long criminal history – faced potential retaliation from crime bosses angered by his actions. On November 18, 1970, McKinley Rogers Jr., James Henry Hall, and Houston J. Hammond were formally charged for armed robbery. While Hammond was apprehended by police, tragedy struck in the Bronx in May 1971 as Rogers and Hall were fatally shot – believed to be reprisal killings.

Hudson stated in a 1971 article for the New York Times that it was uncertain whether the police or the victims would reach them first, which we had predicted last fall. It seems, unfortunately, that the victims managed to get there ahead of the authorities.

What happened to Chicken Man?

30 years after it was widely believed that Chicken Man was murdered following a robbery, it turned out in an interview with the Fight Night podcast in 2002 that Gordon Williams, who was thought to be dead, had actually survived and was still residing in Atlanta as a pastor. Jeff Keating, the writer and host of the podcast, confirmed this, stating, “Chicken Man is alive today. He is Reverend Gordon Williams at Salem Baptist Church.”

Two years on, when Hudson and Williams got together at Williams’ church, orchestrated by Keating, Hudson shared the reasons behind his newfound conviction that Chicken Man was not guilty.

According to Creative Loafing, Hudson stated, “I didn’t think he was reckless enough for such a daring move.” This individual managed a multimillion-dollar business from a simple pay phone on a street corner. He was intelligent; he could have led IBM or Coca-Cola. It was inconceivable that he would jeopardize everything by bribing someone. Instead, it appeared that a group of immature thugs had attempted to rob the event, and upon seeing its grand scale, they improvised their plan.

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2024-09-06 16:06