"You could have heard a pin drop, not just in the hall but in the bars as well, during the minute's silence and when the 10 bells were sounded," said his successor Mark O'Reilly.

"It was a fitting tribute to John and a very emotional occasion."

And Humphrey would have been proud of the performances of the club's current crop of youngsters, all of whom put up good displays of boxing.

Thirteen-year-old Steven Smith, on his debut in the ring, gained a unanimous decision over another first-timer, Sam Krarup, from Colchester.

Smith used his left jab to good advantage to keep his opponent on the back foot.

Alfie Smith, 15, recently a semi-finalist in the NABC Championship, took on Sudbury ABC's Dewy Taylor who was three weight-divisions and several inches taller than the Newmarket boxer.

Undeterred, Smith put on a great display of boxing to pick up a majority verdict when a unanimous vote would have been well-deserved.
Astley's Riley Vinden showed the talent he has always demonstrated in training to pick up his first win in six bouts with a majority verdict over William McAllister of Kettering.

Also winning for the home club was Jamie Corner, 15, who got the better of Kieran Redding in a scrappy match which failed to live up to its promise.

Among the seniors, American boxer Aaron Schupp made it four wins out of four at 67k.

His oppponent Dominic McGurl, of Colchester, shaded the opening round but the Astley boxer took control in the second and third rounds to earn a majority decision.

Results - juniors: Pender Buckley (Astley) lost to Jack Lavell (Sudbury) unanimous.
Jesse Brown (Astley) lost to Frankie Hobdon (Welwyn Garden City) majority.
Mark Samuel (Astley) lost to Tom Cox (Welwyn Garden City) majority.
Fahan Akhtar (Merlin) beat Reece Box (Five Star ABC).
Steven Smith (Astley) beat Sam Krarup (Colchester) unanimous.
Riley Vinden (Astley) beat William McAllister (Kettering) majority.
Jamie Corner (Astley) beat Kieran Redding (Chadwell & Corringham) majority.
Alfie Smith (Astley) beat Dewy Taylor (Sudbury) majority.
Seniors: Peter Croucher (Astley) lost to Joe Wiltshire (Five Star) unanimous.
Gary Frostick (Astley) lost to Danny Grimes (Welwyn Garden City) majority.
Aaron Schupp (Astley) beat Dominic McGurl (Colchester) majority.
Michael Cooper (Astley) lost to Brad Wheeler (Five Star) majority.
Matthew Jack (Astley) lost to Elvis Dube (Merlin) majority.