We’re a little over a week away from one of the most anticipated shows of the year premiering. Peacock’s Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist made multiple stops in Atlanta last week to celebrate the premiere of the new limited series ahead of its launch on September 5th. Based on the acclaimed iHeart true-crime podcast, the series follows the infamous story of how an armed robbery on the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life but ultimately transformed Atlanta into the “Black Mecca.”
Last Wednesday (August 21st), Fight Night In The 404 officially kicked off with a screening of the first episode of Fight Night at the opening night of the BronzeLens Film Festival, with producer Dianne Ashford introducing the screening and a taped welcome video from Will Packer.
On Friday, August 23rd, in partnership with Complex, Peacock hosted students from HBCUs including FAMU, Spelman, Clark Atlanta and Morehouse College, for an advance screening of the first episode. The event was hosted by Complex’s Speedy Morman, with a special appearance from executive producers Will Packer, Shaye Ogbonna, co-EP Kenny Burns, producer Dianne Ashford, and actor David Banner (‘Missouri Slim’). Students received custom Atlanta Influences Everything t-shirts and were treated to pizza by Slim & Husky’s while listening to music by DJ Thrice Groove. Several HBCU journalists connected with producers for an intimate roundtable discussion at the event.
The following day, Peacock partnered with eight local Black-owned businesses in Atlanta by offering throwback prices at historical and beloved establishments throughout the city, including Paschal’s and The Clermont Hotel, which are both featured in the series. To spotlight the businesses participating, emerging local artists E.L. Chisolm and Yuzly Mathurin created four custom murals that can be seen at popular locations in Atlanta. Additionally, Peacock teamed up with the renowned car customization shop West Coast Customs and their student academy to build a replica of Chicken Man’s 1966 Cadillac Calais, the car driven by Kevin Hart’s character in the series.
More information on the Fight Night In The 404 specials offered over the weekend can be found below:
*While supplies last
PASCHAL’S (OFFER: 50¢ Sweet Teas and their famous Fried Chicken Sandwiches for $2)
CLERMONT HOTEL’S ROOFTOP BAR (OFFER: Black-owned Whiskey brands & Coke for $4 and Tequila & Ginger for $4)
TU LA 2 NAIL SALON (OFFER: Signature Manicure for $19.70. Also, they offered their Cuticle Oil for $2 and their Body Polish for $9)
VERSUS ATL (OFFER: Branded sock set for $4, trucker hat for $8, shorts for $12 and hoodie for $15)
BROOKLYN TEA ATL (OFFER: 50¢ tea blends custom-created to celebrate Fight Night and 1970s Atlanta)
SUBLIME DOUGHNUTS (OFFER: Glazed, powdered, and chocolate donuts for a discounted 25¢)
THE VILLAGE RETAIL (OFFER: Top three selling embroidered t-shirts at special, throwback prices — HBCU T-shirt, Support Is A Verb T-shirt, and Atlanta T-shirt for $15)
COPPER COVE (OFFER: Happy hour with specialty-themed cocktails — “The Heist Highball,” “70s Smash,” or “Atlanta Heist Mule” — for $10.00 between the hours of 5 pm – 9 pm. These drinks embody the story of this infamous night, while influenced by the core cocktail program at Copper Cove)
Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist will be available for streaming on Peacock on September 5th. Check out the official trailer above and some photos from Fight Night In The 404 below!