A bronze statue commemorating British boxing legend Teddy Baldock has been stolen from Langdon Park in Poplar, east London, leaving his family devastated.
Martin Sax, 56, the former world champion’s grandson, discovered the theft through social media on Sunday night, before a local friend confirmed the memorial had been torn from its base.
The Metropolitan Police said it received reports of the incident on Sunday, and has since launched an investigation.
Mr Sax said he was “heartbroken” by the loss of the statue, which he helped commission in 2014 to honour his grandfather’s sporting achievements.
Mr Baldock is still celebrated as Britain’s youngest world boxing champion, having won the bantamweight title aged just 19 in 1927.
The east London fighter defeated American boxer Archie Bell to claim the world crown, cementing his place in British sporting history.
At just 18, he travelled to the US, fighting 12 bouts in three months – winning 11 and drawing one.
He fought twice at Madison Square Garden and appeared on the undercard of James J Braddock.
Mr Baldock is still celebrated as Britain’s youngest world boxing champion
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The boxing icon’s grandson told The Sun: “I’m gutted that it’s happened. But then I wanted to get on to it.
“Time is of the essence but if I can get out in the media, then there’s a chance it could get recovered.
“Because, at the end of the day, I believe it’ll be a gang that is nicking these statues.
“So there’s no emotion. They don’t give a f*** really, about British sporting heroes.
“It’s just a lump of metal to them, so the sooner I can get it out there, there’s hope that it can be found.
Martin Sax helped commission the statue in 2014 to honour his grandfather’s sporting achievements
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“There’s only going to be limited places they can hand it on for cash or to get melted down, so I just wanted to get it out there.”
The statue is made from bronze, which can sell for up to £3,900 per tonne in Britain.
Recounting memories of his grandfather, Mr Sax said: “When he got married to my grandmother, it was filmed by four different news companies from that era.
“Thousands of people lined the streets, police separated the crowds and to think that someone’s nicked his statue, it’s a bit hard to put into words really.
“I suppose it’s been a life mission to get him recognised and to get that ripped away, it’s heartbreaking.”
The statue was stolen from Langdon Park in Poplar on Sunday
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After launching the investigation, a statement from the Metropolitan Police read: “Police were called at 20.07hrs on Sunday, February 1 following reports that a statue had been stolen from outside Langdon Park, Poplar.
“No arrests have been made at this early stage of the investigation.
“Officers are carrying out enquiries to identify those responsible and will continue to follow every available line of enquiry.
“If you have any information please contact 101 quoting CAD 6133/1Feb. To remain anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”