why did crawford return the belts to canelo

Terence Crawford returned the championship belts to Canelo Alvarez as a gesture of respect and sportsmanship. Although Crawford won the fight and became the new undisputed super middleweight champion, he handed Canelo back the physical belts because they were custom-made for Canelo, who had held them for nearly five years. This act honored Canelo's long reign and legacy in the division, showing that rivalries are confined to the ring but respect transcends it. Crawford will receive his own new set of belts soon, so returning the belts was both symbolic and traditional in boxing culture. Additionally, this move reflects Crawford's broader mindset of valuing legacy over hardware and maintaining respect for a fellow great champion, acknowledging Canelo's impact on the sport and their shared sacrifice in the ring. It may also be strategic, allowing Crawford to avoid being tied to sanctioning bodies and keeping future fight opportunities more flexible.