Joe Calzaghe wins the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award

Boxer Joe Calzaghe won the 2007 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, edging Lewis Hamilton by 55,000 votes.

Joe Calzaghe wins the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award Boxer Joe Calzaghe was the winner of this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, beating Lewis Hamilton by 55,000 votes. Calzaghe, who failed to enter the top three in 2006 came back in full force this year to grab the award underneath the favorite Hamilton, who finished second, Third was voted Ricky Hatton. Joe Calzaghe received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award from Lennox Lewis in Las Vegas, where Calzaghe went to support Hatton for his fight with Mayweather. Joe Calzaghe was listed with odds on winning the 2007 BBC award with odds 8/1 at the U.K. online bookmaker Bet365 and Lewis Hamilton was favorite with odds 1/3.

"I feel 100% that it's proper recognition for what I've achieved - it's been an amazing year for me. Regardless of last year, it's amazing to be voted for by the public. It's the proudest moment of my career. After such a great year and 10 years as a world champion this is just the icing on the cake for me," said Joe Calzaghe, quoted by BBC Sports after receiving the award.

Meanwhile the British bookmakers are already working on the 2008 BBC Award. Joe Calzaghe has been installed as 8/1 third favorite by William Hill to retain the BBC TV Sports Personality of the Year Award NEXT year. "After upsetting the odds this year by beating hot favorites Lewis Hamilton and Ricky Hatton, who's to say Joe can't do the double next year?" said Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe. F-1 driver Lewis Hamilton is again the favorite for the award with odds 5/1, Radcliffe and Calzaghe sharing odds of 8/1.

Published on 12/10/2007