He competed in the men's light middleweight event at the 1968 Summer Olympics.

[1] After he ended his boxing career, Covaci became a militia officer in his native city, Brăila.

[1][3][4] On 14 November 1973 while patrolling in the city, he saw a 23-year-old man named Mihai Ion who he fought seemed suspicious.

[1][3][4] While walking near a crowded bus station, Ion pulled out a dagger from his jacket and stabbed Covaci's neck with it, killing him.

[1][3][4] Ion ran away, but was caught two days later in Galați, being sentenced to 25 years in prison.