Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: The Best Of Covino & Rich
Release Date: January 29, 2025

Introduction In this episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," hosts Steve Covino and Rich Davis delve into a range of engaging topics, with a primary focus on the anticipated fight between Jake Paul and Logan Paul. The discussion not only centers around the fight itself but also explores its broader implications for the professional fighting industry. Additionally, the hosts share personal anecdotes, engage in humorous segments, and interact with listeners through a lively trivia game.

1. Jake Paul vs. Logan Paul Fight Announcement

Timestamp: [00:10]

Covino and Rich kick off the episode by discussing the official announcement of the Jake Paul vs. Logan Paul fight, set to premiere on HBO Max on March 27th.

• Steve Covino: "The announcement was made today that sometime in March, around March 27th in fact, on HBO Max, you're going to watch two brothers go toe to toe, head to head. Jake Paul versus Logan Paul."

Key Points:

• Marketing Hype: The fight is being marketed as "the fight you waited 10 years to see," though Covino questions the accuracy of the timeline.
• Spectacle Impact: Covino argues that such high-profile fights can rejuvenate interest in professional boxing by showing promoters and fighters that there's a lucrative market for well-promoted matches.

Quote:

• Steve Covino: "Honestly, I think it lights a fire under other promoters and lights a fire under other boxers to be like, yo, we're willing to fight each other, you guys. And you guys aren't willing to fight. What's the excuse?"

2. Current State of Professional Boxing and Fight Matchups

Timestamp: [05:30]

The hosts transition into a critique of the current professional boxing landscape, highlighting the challenges in securing desirable matchups.

Key Points:

• Lack of Desired Matchups: Covino laments that star fighters like Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford are often unable to face each other due to contractual and promotional hurdles.
• Delayed Matches: He references the eventual but belated Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight as an example of how significant bouts frequently occur too late to maximize their potential impact.
• Call to Action: Covino emphasizes that the willingness of the Paul brothers to fight each other sets a precedent that could pressure other fighters and promoters to facilitate more engaging and timely matchups.

Quote:

• Steve Covino: "If the Paul brothers are willing to put all pride aside and fight each other for our entertainment and of course to make lots of money because there's intrigue... I think it's a positive."

3. Personal Anecdotes and Analogies

Timestamp: [12:45]

To illustrate his points, Covino shares personal stories and analogies that relate to motivation and the necessity of external catalysts to drive change.

Key Points:

• Blockbuster Analogy: Covino compares the stagnation in professional boxing to Blockbuster's failure to pivot towards streaming, resulting in its decline despite having the potential to dominate.
• Family Influence: He recounts a personal story about his parents' lack of engagement and how external actions (like his barber visiting his studio) motivated them to become more involved, drawing a parallel to how the Paul brothers' fight could inspire similar changes in boxing.

Quote:

• Steve Covino: "If Blockbuster had pivoted and said, we're gonna really lean into streaming, we'd all be streaming all these shows on Blockbuster on our TVs. But Blockbuster said, nah, we're gonna double down on no Late fees. And we're fine with DVDs and Blu Rays."

4. Humorous Segment: M&M's and 'Gain Stifler'

Timestamp: [20:15]

Adding levity to the conversation, Covino and Rich engage in a humorous exchange about M&M's, leading to the creation of the term "Gain Stifler."

Key Points:

• M&M's Joke: The discussion revolves around the playful idea that M&M's, particularly green ones, have humorous connotations.
• 'Gain Stifler' Term: Rich invents the term "Gain Stifler" to describe someone who hinders fitness gains by offering unhealthy snacks, sparking laughter and further jokes about stereotypes.

Quote:

• Rich Davis: "He's what you call in German. Oh, yeah. A Gain Stifler. He stifles my gains. He's trying to bring me down. He's a Gain Stifler."

5. Listener Interaction: NFL Trivia Game

Timestamp: [25:50]

Covino and Rich host an interactive NFL trivia segment featuring listener participation and the presence of guest Patrick Mahomes.

Key Points:

• Trivia Format: Contestants answer multiple-choice questions related to NFL history and player statistics.
• Guest Appearance: Patrick Mahomes joins the segment, adding excitement and competitiveness to the trivia game.
• Prize Incentives: Winners are rewarded with prizes such as stainless steel water bottles and Swiggy gift cards.

Quote:

• Rich Davis: "Let's do it. 799 on Fox. Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle."

6. Debate on Closed Captioning Usage

Timestamp: [35:20]

The hosts engage in a debate about the increasing use of closed captioning, exploring its relevance across different viewing contexts.

Key Points:

• Usage Statistics: A study is mentioned where 70% of people now use closed captioning, raising questions about whether this trend transcends generational boundaries.
• Contextual Appropriateness: Covino argues that closed captioning is beneficial for dramas and movies with heavy dialogue but unnecessary for live sports broadcasts.
• Personal Preferences: Both hosts share their personal preferences, with Covino preferring to keep captioning off during sports to maintain an immersive experience, while recognizing its utility in other viewing scenarios.

Quotes:

• Rich Davis: "It's not an old guy thing, it's everybody thing."
• Steve Covino: "I think sports are the one time I go to my TV and I'm like closed captioning off. You don't need it. I promise you."

7. Final Thoughts and Upcoming Content

Timestamp: [45:00]

As the episode concludes, Covino and Rich reflect on the discussions and tease future content, maintaining the show's dynamic and engaging atmosphere.

Key Points:

• Impact of Spectacle Fights: They reiterate the potential positive influence of the Paul brothers' fight on the boxing and fighting world.
• Show Continuity: The hosts express enthusiasm for continuing the show and interacting with their audience in future episodes.

Quote:

• Steve Covino: "So long story short, if the Paul brothers are willing to fight each other and if they're entertaining enough where we'll watch, hopefully that will be the spark or the catalyst to get Canelo, Benavidez, Crawford, all these guys to take on the fights the fans want to see."

Conclusion "The Best Of Covino & Rich" episode offers a rich blend of sports analysis, personal storytelling, humor, and interactive segments. The hosts effectively use the Jake Paul vs. Logan Paul fight as a springboard to discuss broader issues within the professional fighting industry, while also engaging their audience with relatable anecdotes and entertaining trivia games. This episode serves as both an insightful and entertaining listen for sports enthusiasts and casual fans alike.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• [00:10] Steve Covino: "The announcement was made today that sometime in March, around March 27th in fact, on HBO Max, you're going to watch two brothers go toe to toe, head to head. Jake Paul versus Logan Paul."

• [05:30] Steve Covino: "If the Paul brothers are willing to put all pride aside and fight each other for our entertainment and of course to make lots of money because there's intrigue... I think it's a positive."

• [12:45] Steve Covino: "If Blockbuster had pivoted and said, we're gonna really lean into streaming, we'd all be streaming all these shows on Blockbuster on our TVs. But Blockbuster said, nah, we're gonna double down on no Late fees. And we're fine with DVDs and Blu Rays."

• [20:15] Rich Davis: "He's what you call in German. Oh, yeah. A Gain Stifler. He stifles my gains. He's trying to bring me down. He's a Gain Stifler."

• [25:50] Rich Davis: "Let's do it. 799 on Fox. Hey, it's Bobby Bones. Join me and former NFL quarterback Matt Castle every Wednesday for our new podcast, Lots to say with Bobby Bones and Matt Castle."

• [35:20] Rich Davis: "It's not an old guy thing, it's everybody thing."

• [35:20] Steve Covino: "I think sports are the one time I go to my TV and I'm like closed captioning off. You don't need it. I promise you."

• [45:00] Steve Covino: "So long story short, if the Paul brothers are willing to fight each other and if they're entertaining enough where we'll watch, hopefully that will be the spark or the catalyst to get Canelo, Benavidez, Crawford, all these guys to take on the fights the fans want to see."