Also don't forget So, he hit harder than Jack Dempsey, and in his prime was avoided by Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Riddick Bowe and Lennox Lewis. Even past his best he still went 10 and scored a knockdown against Larry Holmez, a far better champion than Liston. Couple that with the O Naught constant being positive, meaning that athletes naturally get better over time, and it's clear people are only picking Liston out of nostalgia.
You nailed it. “Never Bean” Liston was quite the oddity who had some joy during his none too serious run in boxing but people really need to take the damn goggles off.
Ferg - I’m guessing that the photo was taken from the non mirror side of a two way mirror - just so Bean could get the “Watch you looking at D-Head?” expression just right. Very authentic.
