A family is reeling after thieves stole a £100,000 bronze statue of boxing legend Teddy Baldock from outside a London station. The theft has been described as “soul destroying” by those who championed its creation and celebrated its unveiling.
Teddy Baldock wasn’t just a boxer; he was a phenomenon. In 1927, at the astonishing age of 19, he defeated Archie Bell to become the world bantamweight champion, instantly etching his name into boxing history.
The statue, a tribute to the “Pride of Poplar,” had stood proudly at Langdon Park DLR station since 2014. It was the culmination of years of fundraising, led by his grandson, Martin Sax, and a testament to Baldock’s enduring legacy.
Martin, a former Royal Marine, poured his heart and soul into the project, raising tens of thousands of pounds with the help of the boxing community. The unveiling ceremony was a grand affair, attended by 300 people, including fellow boxing greats like Charlie Magri and Colin Dunne.
Now, all that remains is the empty plinth and a poignant reminder of the man himself – his boxing boots. Martin expressed his devastation, fearing the statue was stolen to be melted down for scrap metal.
“It’s absolutely soul destroying,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion. “We worked so hard to commission the statue, and we are all heartbroken. I haven’t even been able to tell my mother.”
The boxing world is now rallying to recover the stolen tribute. Word is spreading throughout the extensive community, making it increasingly difficult for the thieves to discreetly sell the bronze figure.
Detectives are preparing to release CCTV footage of the suspects, hoping to bring them to justice and recover the statue before it’s lost forever. The police are actively assisting in the investigation, offering a glimmer of hope.
Baldock’s life story is one of incredible highs and devastating lows. Despite achieving international fame and even fighting at Madison Square Garden, he tragically died penniless on the streets of London in 1971, at the age of 62.
The statue represented more than just a sporting achievement; it was a symbol of resilience and a tribute to a man who overcame adversity. Martin hopes to see it restored to its rightful place, near the Spotlight Youth Centre boxing gym, a fitting location for the “Pride of Poplar.”
“The idea for the statue came when I was researching his history,” Martin explained. “It’s an incredible story. The fact that someone can spit on his memory like this is just terrible.”
