The family of celebrated British boxer Teddy Baldock has been left devastated after thieves brazenly stole his statue from Langdon Park in East London. The bronze monument, erected in 2014 to honour the former world bantamweight champion, was taken on Sunday evening, leaving only a pair of boxing boots behind on an empty plinth.
Martin Sax, Baldock’s grandson, who dedicated four years to fundraising for the statue, described the theft as a “pure act of disrespect.” Speaking from his home in Somerset, Mr. Sax said, “What would my grandad think of the statue being torn down by four scumbags? It wouldn’t have happened in his time because he was hero-worshipped. He’d have knocked them all out.”
Footage released by the Metropolitan Police showed four suspects, dressed in black with faces covered, forcibly removing the statue. Using no visible tools, they wiggled the sculpture free and transported it away on a three-wheel cargo bike, concealing it under a high-visibility jacket. The suspects were last seen heading northbound towards Bromley-by-Bow underground station.
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Known as the ‘Pride of Poplar,’ Baldock made history in 1927 as Britain’s youngest ever world boxing champion at just 19 years old. Born in Poplar, East London, in 1907, he was revered for his speed and fighting skill. Despite his success, Baldock retired from boxing at 24, and later endured poverty, even living on the streets before passing away in 1971.
Martin Sax revealed he is now seeking the original mould of the statue to consider recasting, in case the stolen bronze is never recovered. Reflecting on the statue, he said, “When I saw the clay model, it perfectly captured him. Even my mum was emotionally overwhelmed seeing her dad life-size again.”
The Metropolitan Police continue their investigation and urge anyone with information to come forward. Detective Superintendent Oliver Richter expressed sympathy for the community while assuring that officers are working swiftly to bring the culprits to justice.