100,000 statue of Britain's youngest ever boxing world champion stolen from east London - with only his shoes left by thieves

"A bronze statue of Teddy Baldock, Britain's youngest ever boxing world champion, has been stolen from outside a DLR station in east London. It appears as though the statue has been cut from its mount, with only the shoes left behind, raising concerns it may have been stolen to be melted down for scrap. Baldock, who was born in Poplar in 1907, became world bantamweight champion in 1927 at the age of 19 a record that still stands in British boxing."

"Last night sc*m stole the statue of my Grandfather Teddy Baldock Britain's youngest ever World Boxing Champion. The statue was unveiled outside the Langdon Park DLR Station in Poplar, east London. Years of work and a stunning work of art by the sculptor, the late Carl Payne will be sold for scrap and melted down. Please retweet in case we can recover it."

"Baldock, who was born in Poplar in 1907, became world bantamweight champion in 1927 at the age of 19 a record that still stands in British boxing. He turned professional at 14 and later enjoyed European and Commonwealth success, becoming a prominent figure in the sport and a local hero in the East End. Baldock, who was nicknamed The Pride of Poplar, passed away in 1971 aged 63."

A bronze statue of Teddy Baldock was stolen from outside Langdon Park DLR station in Poplar, east London. The statue appears to have been cut from its mount, leaving only the shoes behind and prompting fears it was removed to be melted down for scrap. Baldock became world bantamweight champion in 1927 at age 19 after turning professional at 14 and later achieved European and Commonwealth success, becoming a local East End hero. His grandson, Martin Sax, led the campaign for the statue and appealed on social media for its recovery. Police confirmed a theft report, made no arrests and urged anyone with information to contact 101 or Crimestoppers.

Read at www.standard.co.uk