The Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas witnessed one of the most historic nights in modern boxing. On Saturday, September 13, 2025, Terence Bud Crawford defeated Saul Canelo Alvarez by unanimous decision, taking the undisputed super middleweight crown from him.
However, what drew the most attention after the fight was not only the result, but an unexpected gesture: Crawford gave the belts back to Canelo in front of the cameras.
Crawford’s unexpected gesture
Terence Crawford gave Canelo his belts back 🤝 #CaneloCrawford pic.twitter.com/XYAvfyDj1F
– Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 14, 2025
After 12 rounds of tactical dominance, Crawford was declared the winner on cards of 116-112 and 115-113 (x2).
That made him the first boxer in the four-belt era to be undisputed in three different divisions.
With the win, Bud consolidated his position as the best pound-for-pound fighter of the moment and achieved an unprecedented accomplishment in the sport.
At the post-fight press conference, the American proudly posed with the four sashes that accredited him as the new monarch.
However, minutes later, he surprised the Mexican fighter by handing those same prizes back to him.
Why did Crawford return the belts?
The gesture, which generated confusion in social networks and among some fans, has a simple explanation linked to the tradition of professional boxing.
The belts that are contested in a fight are not the winner’s “new” belts, but those already held by the reigning champion, in this case Canelo Alvarez.
When the change of monarch takes place, the international bodies – the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO – are responsible for handing the new champion their own official versions of the belts.
For that reason, Crawford returned the belts to Alvarez: the ones he wore in the fight were the property of the Mexican and not the ones that will officially accredit him as undisputed champion.
In other words, although Canelo physically regained his belts, he is no longer the champion in sporting records.
As of now, all super middleweight titles belong to Crawford.
Reactions among Mexican and Latin American fans
Crawford’s gesture generated debate among Mexican fans in both the United States and Mexico.
Some interpreted it as an act of respect for Canelo’s legacy, while others took it as a simple regulatory protocol.
On social media, fans in cities such as Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago expressed surprise at the scene and asked if it meant Alvarez retained his championship status.
However, the answer is clear: Canelo is no longer undisputed and the bodies will soon hand Crawford his own official belts.
A gesture that will remain in the memory
Buzzy
Beyond boxing formality, the image of Crawford returning the belts to Canelo Alvarez became one of the most talked about of the night.
For many, it symbolized respect for a rival who dominated the division for years.
For others, it was a sign of the greatness of boxing, where tradition and rules are intertwined with unexpected gestures.
The truth is that, after tonight in Las Vegas, Canelo begins a new stage without belts.
While Crawford writes a historic chapter that places him at the top of world boxing.
Crawford devolvió los cinturones a Canelo frente a las cámaras
QuéOnnda.com
