Olympians shine as Lionhearts claim confident World Series victory

After losing to Italia Thunder in Rome last month, an impressive 5-0 revenge win has returned to the team to the top of their group as they seek to improve on last year's final defeat to the always powerful Cubans.

Flyweight Ali got off the canvas to battle past Manuel Cappai on points while welterweight McCormack won every round on every judges scorecard to beat Vincenzo Mangiacapre.

McCormack was on the end of a difficult draw at the Olympics, losing to Cuban number two seed Yasnier Toledo on a split decision.

But there is no doubt about his talent as he looks to make amends in Tokyo.

"Rio was my first big competition and I think it all got to me, being a very young age I didn't box as well as I could," he said.

"But having been to the Olympics, I feel a lot better I feel a lot more relaxed and I feel I'm doing a lot better.

"I'd love to go to Tokyo and win a gold medal there but this year I'm going to stay undefeated in the WSB, qualify for the world championships and hopefully medal there too."

Experienced super-heavyweight Frazer Clarke got knocked down by Guido Vianello but recovered to win on a split decision while rising star Calum French was a confident unanimous winner in his lightweight encounter with Michael Magnesia.

Members of team witnessed part of Wednesday's tragic terror attack in London, while attending a community boxing event at the Houses of Parliament.

And McCormack paid tribute to team coach Tony Davis, who ran to the aid of victims.

"Tony was standing right next to us, and when everyone was running away he was running to their aid, full respect to Tony," he added. "He saw a lot more than us and he was a bit shaken up."

Sportsbeat 2017