Will Packer Will Produce A Podcast Series About The $1 Million Heist That Followed Muhammad Ali’s Comeback Fight

Will Packer has teamed up with iHeartMedia and Doghouse Pictures to produce a true-crime podcast series about the mass armed robbery that took place at an after-party following Muhammad Ali’s comeback match against Jerry Quary, where hundreds of guests were robbed at gunpoint in one of the largest armed robberies ever seen in the U.S.

“What happened in Atlanta shortly after heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali made his celebrated return to the ring is a true crime mystery that will keep listeners craving more, especially with the 50th anniversary of the fight and horrendous crime so near,” said President of the iHeartPodcast Network, Conal Byrne in a statement . “Will Packer Media and Doghouse Pictures are known for their groundbreaking and innovative content. Partnering with them on this show will bring the highest level of storytelling to this layered podcast.”

The luxurious party was looking to attract some big spenders that would be carrying cash and sporting flashy jewelry. The shindig was scheduled to kick off during the early morning hours of October 27th, 1970 in Atlanta, immediately following the historic comeback of Ali, who was making his return to the ring after three years. As Ali partied with fellow celebs at a nearby Hyatt, visitors of the city who were drawn in by the seemingly glamorous after-party descended onto 2819 Handy Drive where they were met with men in ski masks and shotguns when they entered the front door. An estimated 200 guests arrived and were all ordered to strip down to their underwear and place all cash and valuables in a pile in the basement before being ordered face down on the floor. The hours-long heist finally ended around 3 a.m. The gunmen dragged two hostages with them and later dropped them off with cab fare hours later across town. The robbers made off with approximately $1 million. 

Packer and James Lopez, President of Will Packer Productions will co-produce the iHeartMedia original series. Jeff Keating, founder of Doghouse, co-wrote the podcast along with Jim Roberts. Roberts will also serve as host of the series with Dan Bush and Lars Jacobson. Kenny Burns will be executive producing. 

“This is the type of project that is perfect for the podcasting space: captivating, high stakes, suspenseful – all against the backdrop of a historic moment in the great Muhammad Ali’s career,” said Packer. “True crime aficionados and those new to the genre will be enthralled by this piece.”

The series will debut on October 26th, the 50th anniversary of the fight.

“We’re excited to partner with iHeartMedia and Will Packer Media to finally share with the world this riveting crime which reflects race and relationships from the early 1970’s,” Keating added.  “The friendship between the hustler, Gordon ‘Chicken Man’ Williams and cop, JD Hudson, comes to life through their fascinating interviews, which span five decades and have never been heard before.”

Gordon “Chicken Man” Williams was the owner of the home where the heist took place, while JD Hudson was a detective lieutenant at the time who assisted with the case.

This is just Packer’s latest endeavor into the true crime realm. Last year, his “The Atlanta Child Murders” premiered on Investigation Discovery. The three-part series shed new light on the murders of 29 black youth, mostly children and a few adults, between 1979 and 1981. The series prompted Atlanta Police to re-examine the murders.