HARWICH’S John Wheatley admitted being humbled by the support he received after winning his first professional fight.

The 27-year-old defeated Matt Seawright in a welterweight bout at Grays Civic Hall on Saturday night.

It was his first pro fight since progressing from the amateur ranks.

And according to boxing database Boxrec.com, he became Harwich’s first professional boxer in almost 80 years – since Fred Goodchild in 1936.

“I was very pleased but also relieved,” he said.

“I don’t normally get nervous but I did this time, because of the occasion and crowd.

“It was a great feeling and I was very happy not to let anyone down.

“In the past I’ve been lucky to have my mum, dad and possibly my sister there watching me.

“This time, there were about a hundred people supporting me and I’ve had fantastic backing from everyone in Harwich.

“The support has been quite overwhelming.

“I didn’t really expect it and never experienced anything like it, in my years on the amateur circuit.”

Wheatley and Seawright did battle over six rounds, with the former winning courtesy of a referee’s decision.

He felt the victory was a straightforward one – and admitted being proud to represent his town.

He donated £450 of his earnings to Harwich Boxing Club and the remainder – a figure in excess of that amount – to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.