The Dan Patrick Show (Hour 1 – Feb 17, 2026)

Hosts: Covino & Rich (in for Dan Patrick) with Danny G & Iowa Sam
Main Theme: The announced Mike Tyson vs. Floyd Mayweather fight – spectacle, nostalgia, and the changing landscape of fight sports.

Episode Overview

Hour 1 dives into the headline news: Mike Tyson, at nearly 59 years old, is set to fight Floyd Mayweather, age 48, in a long-rumored but now official bout scheduled tentatively for April 25th, 2026. The hosts dissect the announcement with plenty of humor and nostalgia, questioning the point of the fight, its appeal, and what it says about current sports entertainment. Along the way, they riff on childhood icons, generational differences, trash TV, and no-fail family outings.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Big Announcement: Tyson vs. Mayweather

• Fight Details:

  • Mike Tyson (58/59) vs. Floyd Mayweather (48/49, depending on the month).
  • Tentative date: April 25, 2026.
  • Likely venue: Jokingly referred to as the “Dominican Republic of Congo.”

• Initial Reaction:

  • Hosts are underwhelmed, calling it a “fight no one asked for.”
  • Rich Davis (09:06): “I want the world to know—hey, nobody cares about this fight. Nobody wants it. At least that's how I feel.”

• Weight/Prime Discussion:

  • Tyson is a heavyweight; Mayweather is a welterweight (fought around 147 lbs in his prime).
  • Both are long past their prime; Mayweather at least still appears to be in shape.
  • The match is pure spectacle, not an athletic contest between equals.

• Why Now?

  • Speculated to be a “money grab.”
  • The modern fight game now values spectacle and stunts over competitive legitimacy.
  • Covino (10:58): “In today's stupid world of ‘entertain me’ and spectacles and circus shows, it is a possibility and I hate that.”

• Comparison to Other Spectacles:

  • Draws parallels with trash TV (“Love is Blind,” “The Traitors”) and reality show trends: even if you say you won’t watch, you probably will.

    “I'm not gonna protest... I don't want to have the FOMO is what I'm trying to say. I'm not wanting to see this.” – Rich Davis (13:36)

  • The group admits they'll end up watching, justifying it as a social event ("fire up the grill... come on over").

• Will it Be Pay-Per-View or Streaming?

  • Discussion around the changing pay-per-view model—expectation that this might be on Netflix or a subscription service rather than $99 pay-per-view.
  • Danny G (17:28): “If this is a, like, $99 pay per view, that might change the sentiment… But if it's on Netflix... you'll watch for sure.”

Deeper Reflections: Nostalgia, Disappointment, and Sports Culture

• Nostalgia for the ‘Three Mikes’ Era:

  • Reminiscing about the “Three Mikes” from childhood: Mike Tyson, Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson (with honorable mentions for Michael J. Fox, Mike Seaver, etc.).

  • The fight is likened to the kind of hypothetical (“Who would win, Tyson or Mayweather?”) that only “boneheads” would raise – and now the unthinkable is reality.

    “It’s like getting a gift you didn't want. Oh, thanks... Isotoners. Thanks!” – Rich Davis (33:47)

• Gimmick Fights & the 'Ripped Pants' Analogy:

  • Referenced the “SpongeBob rips his pants” episode: the first time it was funny, repeated too often it becomes tired—like these novelty fights.

    “I feel like with these gimmicky fights, they pull in a SpongeBob SquarePants, where at first it was like, ‘Oh my God...’ We've done these gimmicky fights enough now, where... we don't care anymore.” – Danny G (19:00)

• Why People Watch Despite Themselves:

  • Not “wanting to miss out” (“FOMO”) trumps actual desire for these matches.
  • Wondering if eventually, one spectacle will deliver something truly shocking or entertaining, statistically speaking (“eventually something wild will happen”).

• The Real Fights Being Ignored:

  • Rich Davis (25:28): “If you're going to watch this stupid stuff, they're going to keep serving it, right?... Just watch one that matters... Ryan Garcia and Mario Barrios, it's a title fight. There are still fights out there that matter. This is just dumb to appease the dumbest people on the planet.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Tyson-Mayweather Announcement

• "[On behalf of all casual fight fans:] Nobody wants it. At least that's how I feel." – Rich Davis (09:06)
• "Everything about it is stupid. Mike Tyson, 58, 59 years old..." – Rich Davis (09:22)
• "Ali's twice [Mayweather's] size!" – Danny G (10:43)
• "Not that I don't like fun, stupid shows, but you got two legends making some weird compromise. It sounds and feels like such a money grab..." – Rich Davis (11:08)

On the Nature of Spectacle

• "You love good trash. Even grown men watch dumb trash TV. So are you shocked that grown men would be like, ‘Yeah, I'll get together with my buds’?" – Dany G (13:10)
• "[SpongeBob analogy] ...no one cares that he split his pants. With these fights, we've done it enough now—no one cares." – Danny G (19:00)

On Boxing's State

• "In today's stupid world of entertain me and spectacles and circus shows, it is a possibility and I hate that." – Covino (10:58)
• “This is just dumb to appease the dumbest people on the planet, and yes, we're one of them, two of them, three of them. We're probably all going to watch.” – Rich Davis (25:35)
• "If you're going to watch this stupid stuff, they're going to keep serving it right. So they're going to keep feeding you this BS." – Rich Davis (25:28)

On Nostalgia

• “We grew up in the era of the three Mikes... Mike Tyson, Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson.” – Rich Davis (07:16)
• "Of course, we got to win over some of the Dan Patrick listeners to come check out our show. And plus, he's a legend and it's always an honor." – Rich Davis (31:23)

Key Timestamps

• [04:07] “Fight news” announced – initial reactions and setup
• [07:16] The ‘Three Mikes’ of the '80s/early '90s
• [09:06] Covino & Rich: “Nobody wants it...”
• [10:58] The “Spectacle Era” and weight class mismatch
• [12:30] Discussion about public taste for spectacle over substance
• [13:36] Admission: “We're all watching it anyway”
• [17:28] Pay-per-view vs. streaming, and the psychological trick of streaming pricing
• [19:00] The “ripped pants” Spongebob analogy
• [21:38] Mayweather’s history of exhibition fights: expectations for this event
• [25:28] Call to watch “real” fights instead of just the circus acts
• [33:47] Comparison to “getting a gift you didn’t want”
• [36:08] Respect for Mike Tyson, but honest disappointment about the fight
• [35:41] “Floyd brings the same vibe the Paul brothers do... you respect them, but you hate their vibe.”
• [37:04] Who are the “Top Five Childhood Mikes?”

Additional Segments

• Listener/Call-In Segment (46:29 onwards):

  • Audience attempts to add new “Mikes” to the nostalgia list (Michael Johnson, Mike Myers) and hosts banter about cultural impact.

• Silly, Off-Topic Interludes:

  • Life in radio, co-hosts’ nap routines, and hibachi restaurants as the ultimate no-fail family night.
  • Ongoing bits about Michael Bolton, sauna etiquette, and gym culture.

Conclusion

Covino and Rich used the Tyson vs. Mayweather fight announcement as an entry point into a freewheeling conversation about sports nostalgia, the dilution of boxing’s legacy, and the modern audience’s appetite for spectacle. Throughout, they maintain a humorous, irreverent tone—deeply critical of the matchup but self-aware that they, like much of the audience, will inevitably tune in. They urge listeners not to forsake real sporting contests for mere circus events, while acknowledging the lure of “event TV” is just too strong for many to resist.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode:

• This hour featured a mix of sharp sports commentary, cultural reflection, and playful banter.
• You’ll understand why the Tyson vs. Mayweather fight is generating more eye rolls than excitement—but also why, come April 25th, everyone will be watching.
• The hosts’ humor and pop culture references provide context, color, and nostalgia, inviting fans to feel both seen and gently roasted.
• If you care about the state of fight sports (or just need a laugh about how weird things have gotten), this hour is essential listening.