What makes a fighter old school ?

He attended an old school. Ha Ha.

 

Guys who fight frequently, don’t duck certain opponents and are front foot fighters qualify as old school for me.

Basically a guy who will fight anywhere, anytime and against anyone (within reason), injury notwithstanding.

 

He simply walks to the ring from the dressing room, instead of dancing to it.

 

Here's an example: Victor Galindez

1) Put the title on the line against top challengers several times a year as well as throwing in a number of non-titles

2) 15 round title defenses (it galled me once when I heard ODLH saying in a post-fight interview that rounds 11 and 12 "are what we call the championship rounds." I was yelling at the TV, "THAT'S 11 THROUGH 15, YOU PANSY!!" Clearly I take this very seriously)

3) Gave closely contested fights a rematch - no avoiding tough fights

4) Didn't mope around licking his wounds after a loss - again, got a rematch

 

Bobby Chacon was the ultimate old Schoolboy.

 

For me boxers with an old school mentality are ones that fight often (at least 3 to 5 times in a year). They have the desire to face just about anyone and will fight the best available opponents. They don't make any ridiculous demands or finding ways to duck or prolong a match. And they aren't afraid of a loss on their record.

 

Inside game.

 

Today, I would say, in order to be an "old school" fighter, you have to be a Heavyweight, because of the way weigh-ins are conducted these days. With that said, off the top of my head, I cannot think of a well known Heavyweight I would call "old school" today. After I think about it more, maybe I will come up with one.

 

True. From what I've seen of today's fighters a lot of the focus seems to be a very wide-legged stance, and trying to land from a distance, almost like fencing. Once they fall inside, it's just a lot of grappling so they can get back outside for more fencing.

Always exceptions of course, but inside fighting seems a thing of the past.

 

I think anyone who fought far enough back in the past to where the rules and culture of the game were noticeably different from the present. Case in point, thirty years from now a fighter of today will be considered “ old school. “

 

It’s a loosely defined skill set usually but more intelligence then anything to me. most is not lost it’s there on film but it can’t be learnt without extensive fighting experience and proper instruction, both are just not as common as before and they aren’t paired often. Jose Napoles, Henry Armstrong, James Toney you’ll see common threads when you watch them opposite to them are fighters like Arthur Abraham.

 

After reading this thread, an IV clip (short) with Carmen Basilio coincidentally presented to me on YT - maybe not exactly what the OP is asking for but I thought Carmen’s comments were typical of the attitude of an old school, no nonsense warrior: -

https://youtube.com/shorts/ln7E3ivvEXk?si=r2ky8gMZdlN4K7WX

 

I think "Old school fighter" is first and foremost a lifestyle.
Because the world has changed much more than boxing.
Sonny Liston is old school IMO.