Terence Crawford explained the reasons that led him to personally hand back the belts to Canelo Alvarez after defeating him in their fight. Usually, sanctioning bodies manage this process during interviews and the post-fight ceremony. However, this time, the American champion did it himself for a very specific reason.
Crawford set a major precedent in boxing history. He became the first male three-division undisputed champion in the four-belt era after beating the Mexican fighter by unanimous decision (116-112, 115-113, 115-113).
A meaningful fight for Crawford
According to Firstsportz, with this victory, Crawford preserved his undefeated record of 41-0 and reinforced his legacy in the sport. That is why he chose to personally return the belts to Alvarez — because beating him in the ring carried huge meaning for his career.
Recently, Crawford appeared on Stephen A. Smith’s show, where he shared details about the fight with Canelo. But the host really wanted to know why “Bud” decided to hand the belts back himself.
“They’re his belts. You know I wanted to be the one to give them back. They’re my belts, but you know mine will come personalized. I took his titles; the belts go home with him, the titles go home with me. I’ll get my new belts, and his go with him. And I felt it was right for me to be the one who gave them back,” the champion explained.
Boxing thrives on symbolism, which made this simple yet powerful gesture significant for both fighters. It stood out because it happened in a personal and public way — unlike the usual practice behind closed doors.
Over a 17-year career, Bud has built an undefeated personal record of 42 victories. Those numbers, along with his charisma and humility, have made him a fan favorite. Inside and outside the ring, Crawford continues to break barriers in professional boxing.