Ben Whittaker will headline against Benjamin Gavazi in Birmingham on his promotional debut for Matchroom on 29 November.
The British Olympic silver medallist left Boxxer to join Eddie Hearn’s stable at the beginning of October.
Whittaker, 28, will place his undefeated record against German Gavazi in a light-heavyweight bout.
“Ben Whittaker is the greatest signing any promoter in the world could have made and he levels up from the get-go in front of his home fans in Birmingham,” Hearn said.
Gavazi will fight outside Germany for just the second time in his career and is on a 19-fight unbeaten streak since losing his professional debut in 2018.
The rivals will contest the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) ‘silver’ light-heavyweight title.
Whittaker currently sits at number nine in the WBC’s rankings for the world title held by David Benavidez.
Benavidez is scheduled to defend the belt against Londoner Anthony Yarde on 22 November in Saudi Arabia.
Former UFC fighter Molly McCann is also in action at the National Exhibition Centre.
McCann started her boxing career with a win in Belfast in September.
The Swedish Football Association said Tuesday it had sacked national team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson following three straight losses in World Cup qualifying.
The FA said the decision, which had been taken on Tuesday and was effective immediately, was “based on a lack of results in the World Cup qualifiers”.
“There is still a chance to make the playoffs in March, and our responsibility is to ensure that we have the best possible conditions for reaching the World Cup finals,” Simon Astrom, president of the association, said in a statement.
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(FILES) In this file photo taken on October 13, 2025 shows Sweden’s coach Jon Dahl Tomasson (R) standing on the sideline as Kosovo’s defender #13 Dion Gallapeni prepares to take a throw during the 2026 World Cup qualifying group B football match between Sweden and Kosovo in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Bjorn LARSSON ROSVALL / TT News Agency / AFP)
On Monday, Sweden lost to Kosovo 1-0 in Gothenburg thanks to a solitary strike by Fisnik Asllani of Hoffenheim.
Despite having Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool striker Alexander Isak starting together up front, Sweden have failed to even score in their last three matches and sit bottom of Group B.
Tomasson, a former Denmark international who notably played for AC Milan, Feyenoord, and Newcastle, assumed the role in February 2024.
Retiring prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ended his career in style by helping Hull KR complete the treble on Saturday by beating Wigan in the Super League Grand Final.
So the 36-year-old, and his club, could probably be forgiven for not caring a jot about a suspension handed out, somewhat redundantly, in retrospect.
The Rugby Football League has given Waerea-Hargreaves a four-match ban for “a shoulder charge and other contrary behaviour” during the Old Trafford showpiece.
He had originally been ruled out of the final through suspension before the club successfully appealed against the decision.
The Robins have now, unsurprisingly, confirmed they will not be appealing against his latest, and final, suspension.
Which all means Waerea-Hargreaves finishes his career with a trio of trophies – after Rovers had already lifted the Challenge Cup and League Leaders’ Shield – and a suspension he will never serve.
Waerea-Hargreaves is not the first sportsman in recent years to finish their playing days with a mark against their name.
France legend Zinedine Zidane was sent off for a headbutt in his final game as a professional footballer in the 2006 World Cup final with Italy.
Fellow World Cup winner Gerard Pique also signed off with a red card in a club game for Barcelona in 2022.
Retiring prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves ended his career in style by helping Hull KR complete the treble on Saturday by beating Wigan in the Super League Grand Final.
So the 36-year-old, and his club, could probably be forgiven for not caring a jot about a suspension handed out, somewhat redundantly, in retrospect.
The Rugby Football League has given Waerea-Hargreaves a four-match ban for “a shoulder charge and other contrary behaviour” during the Old Trafford showpiece.
He had originally been ruled out of the final through suspension before the club successfully appealed against the decision.
The Robins have now, unsurprisingly, confirmed they will not be appealing against his latest, and final, suspension.
Which all means Waerea-Hargreaves finishes his career with a trio of trophies – after Rovers had already lifted the Challenge Cup and League Leaders’ Shield – and a suspension he will never serve.
Waerea-Hargreaves is not the first sportsman in recent years to finish their playing days with a mark against their name.
France legend Zinedine Zidane was sent off for a headbutt in his final game as a professional footballer in the 2006 World Cup final with Italy.
Fellow World Cup winner Gerard Pique also signed off with a red card in a club game for Barcelona in 2022.
Actors James Corden and Ruth Jones have known each other for 25 years and in that time built a friendship as well as a British televisual staple in the form of Gavin and Stacey
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Ruth Jones has expressed her honest feelings about James Corden(Image: Scott Garfitt, BAFTA via Getty Images)
Actors Ruth Jones and James Corden, who have been friends for nearly 25 years, first met in 2000 on the set of Fat Friends. Their global fame skyrocketed largely due to their co-creation of the legendary series, Gavin and Stacey.
The beloved show, which ran intermittently from 2007 until 2024, featured Ruth, 59, and James, 47, as Nessa Jenkins and Neil ‘Smithy’ Smith respectively. The finale brought joy to fans when their characters finally became a couple.
Now, 25 years after their initial collaboration, they’ve joined forces again for a book titled ‘When Gavin Met Stacey And Everything In Between’.
Earlier this month, during a Q&A at the London Palladium attended by an audience of 2,286, they discussed their enduring friendship and professional partnership.
During this conversation, they expressed their mutual affection and appreciation for their friendship.
Speaking about their relationship, Ruth said: “James is one of my best friends – it’s a very brother and sister sort of relationship. We do fight – he really gets on my nerves, and I really get on his.
“But there have been times in my life where James is the only person I could turn to and has completely saved me. His friendship is massively valuable to me.”
James had already mentioned how much he values Ruth’s friendship and how proud they both are, not just of Gavin and Stacey, but of their strong bond.
He elaborated: “Ruth and I have both said that however proud we are of Gavin and Stacey, alongside that is just this magical, unique, friendship which has grown, and is definitively deeper now today than it’s probably ever been. That’s a really unique thing in an industry like this, to maintain that love for each other.”
This isn’t the first instance where the duo have shared insights about their bond.
Earlier this year, after her BAFTA triumph for her portrayal of Nessa, Ruth hinted at a potential future collaboration with him, according to the BBC.
She expressed: “I often say he’s like my annoying, younger brother and I’m like your very bossy older sister, but it just seems to work”.
“We have such a good laugh together and we just love being in a room and writing together and I hope that, that’s going to continue because Gavin and Stacey is now finished.
With the winter season nearly here, green-thumbed shoppers can keep plants ‘protected against wind and frost’ with one simple product that won’t break the bank
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Keep plants safe this winter with £19 buy that ‘protects against wind and frost’(Image: Getty)
As we head deeper into autumn, gardeners across the country are getting their gardens and allotments in shape as they prepare for the wind and frost that are sure to come with the arrival of winter. Whether you’re looking to protect newly planted trees or save blooming bushes for next spring, plant fleeces may be just the ticket when it comes to ensuring your garden stays intact through the wet and windy weather of winter.
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This twin pack on Amazon (£19.99) comes stocked with two large plant covers that are perfect for plants sized 55”-70″ tall and 84”-94″ wide. Heavy-weight FRCs like these are designed to extend the growing season in spring and fall, allowing for 40%-60% light transmittance, and freeze protection from 3° to 8°F.
Offering a simple and convenient design, these covers feature an easy-to-use drawstring at the opening, making it easier and quicker to cover plants at the last minute or during harsh weather conditions. Additionally, there’s no need to worry; despite its simple design, the drawstring is sturdy and ensures the cover remains secure, regardless of what the elements throw at it.
Constructed from high-quality non-woven fabric, these covers allow air and moisture to reach your plants, keeping them breathable, without letting the winter weather cause damage that will prevent growth and blossoming next year. Additionally, they are lightweight and soft, ensuring they are plant-friendly and do not harm the plant’s growth.
Protecting plants from snow, hail, frost, and extreme temperature fluctuations during the winter, these covers also keep your plants safe from insects and birds during the spring season.
This two-pack includes garden fleeces measuring 120×180 CM, with alternative size options available. This pack sells for £19.99 on Amazon.
For something more lightweight, B&Q is offering these Fleece Plant Frost Protection Jacket Covers (Set of 6) for £12.98, while Gardening Express has these Extra Thick (30gsm) Medium Frost Protection Fleece Plant Jackets (Pack of 3) for £7.99.
Meanwhile, the Amazon option is a winner among green-thumbed shoppers who have bestowed plenty of 5-star reviews. One thrilled customer raves: “Good quality, large bag with zip , making it easy to position on trees and bushes a like. Drawstring at the bottom to make it tight at base. Wanted it to protect my lemon tree, seems to have worked well.”
Another buyer beams: “Protected my large Oleander plant over the winter 23/24. Had a few brown leaves but that was it – whilst my mum and brother had same plant and both of theirs were killed off by frost so they have now ordered the same covers for other large plants.”
Further praise comes from this shopper who says: “Really easy to use and certainly kept my tree ferns frost-free last year. So pleased have ordered smaller ones to cover small delicate shrubs replacing fleece sheet I used last year.”
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One customer does note one gripe, writing: “I bought these covers for my 4 feet plants as it is harder and harder for my husband to lift them indoors every winter and was delighted to cover the plants to leave them outside this winter. It was simple to use and the zipper was excellent to close them up after I covered the plants. I loved the fact they allowed light and moisture in, meaning I had less to do. Unfortunately both plants died and although I watered them twice, thinking they wouldn’t even need that, it was obvious water wasn’t getting in. I should have realised that as I remember seeing pools of water on the gathered parts of the fabric when it rained. Maybe the plants dying was my fault, but I won’t use them again.”
