Representatives from the British Lionhearts and Italia Thunder boxing teams spoke of their horror and admitted it had been a difficult 24 hours after they witnessed the incident unfold.

The World Series of Boxing (WSB) Group B clash between the two sides took place as planned after competitors from both teams caught up in the attack in London agreed it should go ahead, with the hosts running out comfortable 5-0 winners on an emotional evening here.

Speaking about what took place yesterday, McCormack paid tribute to the actions of Davis.

"It is a horrible thing and it is not nice to think about," McCormack said.

“Tony was standing right next to us and as everyone was running away he was running to the aid so full respect to him.

“He saw a lot more than us and he was a bit shaken up – I respect him very much as a man for doing that.”

Earlier today, Davis told ITV News of his experience.

"I ascertained where the wounds were, he had a gaping head wound, which wasn't too severe compared to the other two, one in his arm, his left arm and the more serious one being the left hand side of his rib cage," he said.

"He was bleeding profusely. 

"I had a rain jacket with me, I tried to stem the blood flow.

"I checked his pulse, his pulse was weak, I was shouting medic, medic, get an ambulance.

"I'm disappointed that he didn't make it because he's still a member of the Government.

“He's a fellow Brit, he's doing his job. 

"You just want people like that to pull through.”

A 10-bell salute rang around the arena prior to the WSB tie tonight in memory of the five killed and the dozens more who were injured.

The attacker has since been named as 52-year-old Khalid Masood, who drove his car at high speed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before he carried on the attack on foot, stabbing Palmer as he attempted to gain access to the Palace of Westminster.

He was then shot dead by armed officers.

Members of both teams who admirably took to the ring tonight saw the incident first-hand.

"It’s horrible to be honest," McCormack, who represented Britain at last year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, said.

“When we came out we were right there and right in front of it.

“It was just weird timing as we were right there and we saw it all.

“I didn’t really sleep much last night – my head was a bit all over the place and I couldn’t really stop thinking about it.

“All the boxers spoke together about it with the coaches, who got us through it really well."

Super heavyweight Frazer Clarke insisted there was never any doubt the key WSB encounter would be held in spite of the trauma witnessed by the two teams in the capital yesterday.

"I’m not the victim, I was in there boxing tonight, the victims were yesterday so I don’t want any sympathy," Clarke said.

"If we can’t get in there and fight after we saw yesterday, how do the rest of the people that were there get on with their lives?

"Everyone was there and everyone has seen it.

"Policemen have lost colleagues, families have lost friends and they have to get on with their lives.

"We were the lucky ones yesterday.

"We had every reason to get in there and put a show on."

The so-called Islamic State have claimed responsibility, while eight people have so far been arrested in connection with the attack.

College worker Aysha Frade, American tourist Kurt Cochran and an as yet unnamed 75-year-old man have been confirmed as being among those who tragically lost their lives.

Italian boxers were close to their British counterparts when the incident happened and general manager Claudio Ballor told insidethegames it had taken its toll on the entire team.

"It was not easy and they were all affected, both physically and mentally," he said here.

"We saw the guy coming in and stabbing the policeman.

"Sometimes we must go over the individual pain and the boxers showed a message."

In the opening bout of the night, Lionhearts flyweight Muhammad Ali recovered from being knocked down in the second round to record a unanimous victory over WSB debutant Manuel Cappai.

The two traded blows throughout the opening rounds before the British fighter and Rio 2016 Olympian seized control and gave his side the perfect start to the evening.

The hosts then doubled their advantage as lightweight Callum French, making his first WSB appearance, put in a composed display as he claimed a unanimous win in his clash with Michael Magnesi.

French described yesterday's horrific attack as "the most tragic thing I have seen in my life".

Victory was then sealed by McCormack, who followed his team-mates in emerging triumphant in unanimous fashion as he beat Vincenzo Mangiacapre in their welterweight clash.

The Lionhearts' dominance continued when light heavyweight Radoslav Panteev of Bulgaria ousted his opponent Gianluca Rosciglione, leaving Clarke with the chance to wrap up a whitewash victory for his side.

Clarke, who spars with Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua, was not at his best and was knocked down to the canvas for just the second time in his WSB career early on in his bout against Guido Vianello.

In what proved to be a fierce contest and a titanic tussle, a fitting way to end a poignant evening, the Briton fought back, narrowly keeping his unblemished record in tact as he prevailed by split decision.

The success for the home team saw them take a giant leap towards this season's quarter-finals and they occupy top spot in Group B, with the French Fighting Roosters taking on the Morocco Atlas Lions in Toulouse tomorrow.