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Terence Crawford gives Canelo Alvarez his belts back in touching scene after fight

The new undisputed super middleweight champion had the ultimate sign of respect with his gesture.
Matt Ryan|
Boxer Canelo Alvarez poses for the fans with his title belts during weigh ins for his super middleweight boxing title fight against Billy Joe Saunders.
Boxer Canelo Alvarez poses for the fans with his title belts during weigh ins for his super middleweight boxing title fight against Billy Joe Saunders. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

While there was trash-talking and a shove before they even stepped in the ring, there was nothing but mutual respect from Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez after their mega fight Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada, at Allegiant Stadium. With Crawford making history, he didn’t showboat, but instead had the ultimate act of sportsmanship afterward.

Boxing is always a game of creating storylines and playing up bad blood between the fighters to help sell the event. Crawford even dissed Alvarez by getting a special watch before the fight.

Once they stepped into the ring and all was on the line, they were two legends of the sport doing their best. Saturday night was Crawford’s time as he became the first undisputed three-weight champion in the four-belt era and took the super middleweight crowns away from Canelo and his WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF titles and belts.

RELATED: Floyd Mayweather Jr. wins big bet on Terence Crawford in Canelo fight

Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvare
Crawford put on a masterclass of boxing. | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

After the masterclass in boxing Crawford display, Alvarez was gracious and classy in defeat giving Crawford all the credit. He didn’t need to take the fight with all risk and no reward — well except for a massive payday. Afterward, he said he just loves the sport of boxing win or lose.

Crawford would show the ultimate sign of respect himself coming over to Alvarez’s press conference and embracing the former champ, as well as giving Alvarez’s daughter Maria a high-five. He’d then give Alvarez his belts back in a touching scene.

RELATED: Canelo’s wife Fernanda Gómez turns heads in black stunner for Crawford fight

Crawford of course will keep the titles and it’s said he will get new belts made, but he wanted the champ to have the belts he held for nearly five years.

That’s everything that’s right about sports in moments like that. Well done, Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez.

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Matt Ryan
MATT RYAN

Matt Ryan is a dedicated sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in digital and linear media. After receiving a Masters in Journalism from USC, he’s worked for Fox Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo Sports, USA Today Sports Media Group, and Bally Sports, while holding various leadership roles along the way.

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