Terence Crawford gave Canelo Alvarez his belts back after their fight as a gesture of respect and sportsmanship. Although Crawford won the fight and became the undisputed super middleweight champion, it is an unwritten tradition in boxing for new champions to allow the former champion to hold their belts one last time during the post-fight conference. This honors the defeated fighter's career and reign. Crawford showed up at Canelo’s press conference, handed over the belts, and explained that he would soon receive his own official titles from the boxing organizations. This act was seen as a clear sign of respect and recognition of Canelo's esteemed career.
Crawford will keep the official titles and will get new belts made, but he chose to return the physical belts because those are custom made and symbolically important to Canelo, who held them for nearly five years.
In summary, Crawford’s act was not about surrendering his victory but about honoring Canelo as a fellow respected boxer outside the ring despite their rivalry inside it.
