Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: The Best Of Covino & Rich
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Introduction

In the episode titled "The Best Of Covino & Rich," hosts Steve Covino and Rich Davis delve into a variety of sports-related topics, primarily focusing on the disappointing outcomes in the boxing world over the recent weekend. They juxtapose these with highlights from other sports, particularly the thrilling game sevens in hockey. Additionally, the hosts share personal anecdotes and engage with listener calls, discussing broader themes of missed opportunities and business missteps in the sports and tech industries.

Boxing Weekend Disappointments

Timestamp: 00:32 - 03:51

Steve Covino opens the discussion by expressing his disappointment with the recent boxing events. He criticizes the overpayment of fighters, which he believes diminishes their drive and the overall excitement of the matches.

Steve Covino [02:15]: "The only fatal thing I saw was the death of boxing over the weekend."

Rich Davis echoes these sentiments, highlighting specific fights that fell short of expectations.

Rich Davis [01:05]: "When you pay NBA players 40, 50, $60 million a year and you allow load management to happen... If you want to see the lazy guy at the office... he's overpaid."

Key Points:

• Overpaid Fighters: The hosts argue that exorbitant salaries lead to complacency among boxers, reducing the intensity and competitiveness of matches.
• Specific Fights: Discussions about Devin Haney vs. Ramirez and Canelo Alvarez’s overpaid opponents, where fighters were more focused on dancing around the ring than engaging in meaningful combat.
• Live Fight Night: Covino recounts their attempt to host a fight night at his place, which turned out to be dull due to lackluster fight results and unengaged guests.

Thrilling Game Sevens in Hockey

Timestamp: 02:15 - 04:37

Contrasting their disappointment in boxing, Covino and Davis commend the recent game sevens in the NHL, particularly the Winnipeg Jets' double-overtime victory.

Rich Davis [01:05]: "That was a remarkable watch, even if you don't care much about hockey."

They praise the intense competition and the high stakes of these games, emphasizing how genuine passion and effort can create memorable sporting moments.

Bad Boxing Night and Exceptional Moments

Timestamp: 05:07 - 08:36

The hosts discuss specific boxing matches that disappointed them, including Ryan Garcia’s loss to Rolly Romero and Canelo Alvarez’s unimpressive performance. However, they highlight the positive moments such as the announcement of the upcoming Canelo vs. Crawford fight, which they believe could rejuvenate the sport.

Steve Covino [08:04]: "These are two dudes that don't back down and they don't back up. This was a Sunday night fight, and it was one of the best fights I've seen in a long time."

They express hope that strategic moves and better incentives for fighters could restore boxing’s former glory.

The Pizza Delivery Fiasco

Timestamp: 18:00 - 27:25

Rich Davis shares a personal story about a frustrating pizza delivery experience during their fight night. The pizzas arrived late, improperly handled, and in disarray, amplifying the evening's overall disappointment.

Rich Davis [23:28]: "I ordered two pies, a large regular pizza, large cheese, and a large Sicilian. $78. Plus the $99 we paid for the fight. That's $177."

The hosts humorously critique the inefficiency of third-party delivery services like UberEats and GrubHub, emphasizing how such mishaps can ruin a planned gathering.

Steve Covino [25:03]: "This is how you're being represented, man."

Big Fumbles in Business and Technology

Timestamp: 32:29 - 44:56

Covino and Davis transition to discussing major business missteps, drawing parallels between sports fumbles and corporate failures.

Key Examples:

1. Skype vs. Zoom:

   • Covino: "Skype was supposed to be everything that Zoom is today, but they blew it."
   • Davis: "They didn't adapt, and Zoom took the ball and ran with it."

2. Blockbuster vs. Netflix:

   • Davis: "Blockbuster could have absorbed Netflix for $50 million but declined, leading to Netflix's meteoric rise."
   • Covino: "It's as colossal as Michael Jordan... Skype was just as bad."

3. MySpace vs. Facebook:

   • Davis: "MySpace declined to buy Facebook for $75 million, missing out on a $482 billion valuation."

4. Toys R Us:

   • Danny G: "They failed to adapt to the e-commerce boom, allowing competitors like Amazon to dominate."

Notable Quotes:

Steve Covino [37:54]: "Skype not delivering in that moment or failing in that moment is only second to maybe Falcons Pats in the Super Bowl."

Rich Davis [43:07]: "Skype... you should have been everything that Zoom is. You already had a head start."

Analysis:

• Adaptation Failure: Companies like Skype, Blockbuster, MySpace, and Toys R Us failed to pivot and adapt to changing market dynamics, leading to their downfall.
• Missed Opportunities: Declining acquisition offers and failing to innovate resulted in these companies being overtaken by more agile competitors.

Listener Calls and Contest

Timestamp: 22:30 - 58:43

The episode features several listener calls where Covino and Davis discuss personal "fumbles" and missed opportunities in sports and life. Topics range from NFL Super Bowl disappointments to NBA draft mistakes.

Notable Callers and Topics:

1. John Quinones' Segment: Listeners share stories about missed opportunities, both in sports and business.
2. Pizza Story Contest: Rich Davis initiates a contest asking listeners to share their best “greito” for Cinco de Mayo, offering prizes like stainless steel water bottles and “swiggies.”

Key Highlights:

• Greg’s Crito Attempt [56:38]: A listener attempts a "greito," showcasing the community's engagement despite the hosts' humorous critiques.
• Tony’s Greo [57:05]: Another listener submits a greito, earning a prize for his effort.

Conclusion: The contest fosters a sense of community and lighthearted interaction, providing a reprieve from the earlier frustrations discussed.

Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Timestamp: 58:35 - End

As the episode winds down, Covino and Davis reflect on the stories shared and reiterate the importance of seizing opportunities, whether in sports, business, or personal endeavors. They emphasize learning from past mistakes to avoid repeating the same fumbles.

Rich Davis [58:31]: "We'll see you back here tomorrow. Until then, arrivederci, baby."

The hosts sign off with celebratory wishes for Cinco de Mayo, encouraging listeners to enjoy their festivities despite the weekend's disappointments.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Rich Davis [01:05]: "If you pay NBA players 40, 50, $60 million a year... you lose that hunger, their desire, their fury."
• Steve Covino [02:15]: "The only fatal thing I saw was the death of boxing over the weekend."
• Rich Davis [07:04]: "How do you fix this, and I'll give you my analogy."
• Steve Covino [08:04]: "These are two dudes that don't back down and they don't back up."
• Rich Davis [18:04]: "This pizza story is a top level John Quinones. What would you do?"
• Steve Covino [37:54]: "Skype not delivering in that moment or failing in that moment is only second to maybe Falcons Pats in the Super Bowl."
• Rich Davis [43:07]: "Skype... you should have been everything that Zoom is."

Conclusion

"The Best Of Covino & Rich" episode offers an in-depth critique of recent boxing events, celebrates exceptional sports moments, shares relatable personal experiences, and engages listeners with interactive segments. Through their discussions, Covino and Davis illuminate broader themes of motivation, opportunity, and adaptation, providing listeners with both entertainment and insightful commentary on the state of sports and business.