A Landmark Cut Away Overnight
A bronze statue honouring Teddy Baldock, Britain’s youngest-ever boxing world champion, has been stolen from outside Langdon Park DLR station in east London. The life-size sculpture, valued at around £100,000, was taken from its spot in Poplar on Sunday, where it had stood for nearly a decade.
Only the statue’s shoes were left behind, suggesting it was deliberately cut from its mount. Fears are growing that the artwork may have been taken to be broken up and melted down for scrap.
Remembering “The Pride of Poplar”
Born in Poplar in 1907, Baldock made boxing history in 1927 when he won the world bantamweight title at just 19 — a British record that still stands. He turned professional at the astonishing age of 14 and went on to claim European and Commonwealth honours, becoming a celebrated figure in the sport and a hero in his local community.
Nicknamed “The Pride of Poplar,” Baldock remained a much-loved East End icon until his death in 1971 at the age of 63. The statue, unveiled in 2014, was created as a lasting tribute to his legacy.
Family Appeal as Police Investigate
Baldock’s grandson, Martin Sax, who led the campaign to have the statue commissioned, expressed his anger and heartbreak in a social media post. He described years of effort and the work of late sculptor Carl Payne being at risk of destruction, urging the public to share information in the hope the statue can be recovered.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are investigating the theft. Officers were called to the scene on Sunday evening and are continuing enquiries, though no arrests have been made so far.
