Why did Patterson have so much more success in the Ali rematch despite being 7 years older at 37?

1. Patterson injured his back at some point during the 1st fight.
2. Post-exile Ali could sometimes be lackluster/lackadaisical in fights, especially during the stretch between FotC & Zaire, whereas younger Ali was generally more energized & motivated.

 

Ali took it easy on him in the rematch

 

Well his back was fine in the rematch

 

Floyd was a superior fighter when he was older than he was as a young champion. Ali did screw around a bit in the 2nd meeting and physically Floyd just couldn’t hang with him, but as a Patterson fan it’s always been a point of pride that Floyd threw the last punch in that fight and it connected solidly enough that Ali had to feel it.

 

Ali was a fighter that Patterson would have never beaten as long as we are talking about a serviceable version of Ali. Prime Patterson may have beaten Ali anywhere between 1960-63 or after 1975. Ali was just too big and too strong and Patterson didn't have the style to get around that.

 

Patterson never went into the ring in anything less than superb condition (at least physically) but even up against the svelte Ali of 1965 the physical differential between the two is striking.