A beloved monument has vanished, leaving a community reeling and a family devastated. The bronze statue of Teddy Baldock, Britain’s youngest ever boxing world champion, was brazenly stolen from outside a London station, a loss described as “soul destroying” by his grandson.
Surveillance footage reveals a calculated act of theft. Four masked figures worked with chilling efficiency, three keeping watch while one relentlessly rocked the statue until its legs gave way. They then made their escape, hauling the legendary boxer away on a cargo bike.
Teddy Baldock’s story is one of remarkable achievement. He claimed the bantamweight championship in 1927 at the astonishing age of 19, defeating American boxer Archie Bell and captivating the nation. His grandson, Martin Sax, spearheaded a fundraising effort to honor his grandfather with a lasting tribute.
The statue, crafted by the late sculptor Carl Payne, was unveiled in 2014 at a ceremony attended by 300 people, including boxing luminaries like Charlie Magri and Colin Dunne. It stood proudly outside Langdon Park DLR station, a symbol of local pride and sporting excellence.
Now, only the empty plinth and a pair of Teddy’s boxing boots remain, a stark reminder of the theft. Martin Sax, a former Royal Marine, expressed his anguish, fearing the statue will be melted down for scrap metal. He hasn’t even been able to share the news with his mother.
“It’s absolutely soul destroying,” Sax stated. “We worked so hard to raise the money, and we are all heartbroken. My grandfather was an amazing man who achieved so much so young, and then these despicable people do this. It’s disgusting.”
The boxing community is rallying to recover the stolen statue, nicknamed the ‘Pride of Poplar’ for his prowess in the ring. Word is spreading, and the hope is that the thieves will find it difficult to sell such a recognizable piece. Police are actively investigating, utilizing the CCTV footage.
Teddy Baldock’s life was a compelling paradox. He enjoyed a celebrated career, even fighting at Madison Square Garden, yet he tragically died penniless on the streets of London in 1971 at the age of 62. The statue was intended to celebrate his triumphs and ensure his legacy endured.
Sax hopes to restore the statue to its rightful place next to a boxing gym within the Spotlight Youth Centre, a fitting location for a champion who inspired so many. The theft is not just a loss of a monument, but a disrespectful act against a man who embodied courage and determination.
The theft feels particularly cruel, a deliberate attempt to erase a remarkable story. It’s a story of a young man who rose to international fame through sheer grit and skill, only to face hardship in his later years. The community now holds its breath, hoping for the return of their ‘Pride of Poplar.’
