I think if the fight were held in MSG it wold have ended much differently. The fact that the heat and the buildup to the fight had so much effect on Foreman really gave Ali that edge he needed to withstand the unrelenting Foreman assault. :think
foreman lost it mentally after ali fight, his demeanor changed right down to the simple things, pre Ali he would ferocious in his corner, post ali he looked more lost less confidence
Foreman would have won easily. George was just a kid when they fought, plus he was injured and out of shape. Ali ducked George for the rest of his career after his lucky win.
Foreman was ****ed in the head for some time after this fight. The more interesting question is how the fight would have turned out if the ropes weren't so loose.
I would have liked to see how the fight would have been if Ali couldn't have practically layed down on the ropes and there was no chance for Foreman to reach him with those bombs. I'm not sure the rope a dope would have been as successfull. Ali would have been hurt and that punishment would have worn him down considerably and made both men equally as tired as the fight progressed. Instead Ali was able to lean extremely far back and Foreman couldn't land a thing, therefore Ali was fresh the entire night until Foreman got tired. Blantant cheating in my opinion, al though I still think Ali would have won on that night it would have been much more competitive and damaging.
If we're talking an immediate rematch, Ali would have won again no doubt. George might have left himself some stamina in the tank but he would be less active in doing so and would clearly lose rounds. Ali could take his punch when needed, and just would land far too easily and cleanly on George in return. The shot version of Ali a few years later that pretty much got by on guile alone might have lost to Foreman though.
I think Foreman would bring different tactics, and with that, I think he'd have a better chance than some seem to think.
I honestly think foreman would win, i'm not saying the first fight was a fluke but foreman just wasnt himself