Statue of boxer Teddy Baldock stolen from east London park | EUROtoday

A bronze statue of boxing icon Teddy Baldock has been stolen from a park in east London, with the thief abandoning nothing however the pugilist’s boxing boots.

The statue, which is estimated to be value round £100,000, was lower down at its ankles from outdoors Langdon Park in Poplar on Sunday.

The Met Police have been notified of its disappearance at round 8pm and are at the moment investigating the incident.

A spokesperson for the power mentioned: “Officers are carrying out enquiries to identify those responsible and will continue to follow every available line of enquiry.

“No arrests have been made at this early stage of the investigation.”

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Baldock, who was generally known as the “pride of Poplar”, turned professional when he was 14 years previous. He shortly grew to become a outstanding determine, and a celebrated title in British sport.

He fought 81 matches as knowledgeable at venues together with Madison Square Garden, and stays Britain’s youngest boxing world champion after he gained the bantamweight title at Royal Albert Hall in 1927 at simply 19.

By his mid-twenties, Baldock had burnt out. He retired from the game and turned to consuming and playing, dying in poverty at 63.

His grandson, Martin Sax, who was two when Baldock died, instructed The Times: “I’m a mixture of upset and angry. It’s an amazing piece of art, and to think that people have stolen it, and all that’s going to happen is it’ll get melted down and they’ll get scrap value for an iconic statue in the centre of London of a British sporting hero — it’s very sad really.”

Mr Sax spent years elevating the funds for the statue, which was erected in 2014.

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Mr Sax was solely made conscious of his grandfather’s legacy after flipping by means of previous scrapbooks.

“When he fought at the Albert Hall they said 12 buses left the East End full of people. It was sold out,” he instructed the newspaper. “Tragically, I suppose, when you turn professional at such a young age it takes its toll.

“I’m hoping that with all the media coverage, the statue itself might become too hot to handle, as it were.

“You know, that any scrap metal merchants might not want to touch it, in which case if it can be recovered, it can be fixed.”

Police are urging anybody with data to get in contact with the police on 101, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111.

Tower Hamlets council has been contacted for remark.