Fight Night” TV Series Explores Crime and Culture in 1970s Atlanta

The newly released TV series “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” on ITVX has captured audience attention with its intriguing tagline, “Based on Some S–t That Really Happened.” Although the phrase piques curiosity, the series is, in fact, inspired by the 2020 true crime podcast of the same name produced by iHeart. The narrative builds around a compelling story set during the historic comeback fight of Muhammad Ali in 1970 when he faced off against Jerry Quarry. The show combines this legendary event with a notorious armed robbery that occurred immediately following the match.

The series is set against the backdrop of Muhammad Ali’s career revival, following years of controversy for his refusal to serve in the Vietnam War, making him a divisive figure in America at the time. Ali’s return to the ring was made possible by the city of Atlanta’s grant of a boxing license, a decision fraught with implications of race and identity in America.

“Fight Night” takes an eight-episode journey to unravel the complexities surrounding this event, including a highlight party organized by a character known as ‘Chicken Man.’ Attempting to forge connections with the so-called “black mafia” of powerful crime figures, his event ends in a dramatic hostage situation that kicks off the central narrative. The series follows how Chicken Man attempts to clear his tarnished reputation amid the chaos.

Stylishly shot with a nod to blaxploitation aesthetics, “Fight Night” utilizes vibrant production design, using funkadelic influences, split-screen views, and an intoxicating funk and soul soundtrack. Yet, the series does not rely solely on its visual flair; it’s populated with dynamic and larger-than-life characters. Kevin Hart portrays Chicken Man, Don Cheadle stars as JD Hudson, an introspective detective wrestling with racial dynamics within Atlanta’s then-recently desegregated police force, and Samuel L. Jackson appears as the menacing crime lord Frank “The Black Godfather” Moten.

Cheadle’s storyline as Hudson serves as a grounding force within the series, allowing “Fight Night” to delve into deeper themes, such as the socio-economic transformation of Atlanta into America’s “black Mecca” in the 1970s. This historical portrayal questions how ambitions and legal boundaries are often determined by those in power.

The star-studded cast offers robust performances, although some critics have noted that Dexter Darden’s portrayal of Ali lacks the presence expected for such an iconic figure. The show rides a delicate line, risking a foray into parody territory, akin to “Austin Powers,” but manages to maintain authenticity, largely thanks to Cheadle’s nuanced narrative arc.

As “Fight Night” proceeds, audiences are drawn into the mix of historical intrigue and crime thriller elements, raising questions about the true nature of its characters’ motivations and the societal context that surrounded them.