Special Features - Sports Personality of the Year

Welsh boxer, Joe Calzaghe, the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2007. (Photo: Getty Images)

Sports Personality of the Year
(21/12/07)

Welsh boxing star, Joe Calzaghe, picked up the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award for 2007.

The much-coveted title is awarded to sporting greats from the last 12 months, as voted by the British public.

British public's favourites

Calzaghe, 35, won with a staggering 28.19 per cent of votes, ahead of Formula One star Lewis Hamilton who took second place with 19.45 per cent and boxer Ricky Hatton in third with 13.53 per cent.

The win signified a great victory for Calzaghe as he missed out on the prize last year, after reaching the shortlist stage.

Calzaghe is the first Welsh winner of the award since 1960, when show jumper, David Broome, claimed the prize.

A world champ

The Pride of Wales, a pet name for the Welsh boxer, has an impressive resume to boast of.

He's not only the world super-middleweight champion - and has been for a decade - but is undefeated in 44 fights, a run which includes his triumphant win in November over the Dane, Mikkel Kessler, who was also unbeaten going into the fight.

Born in Hammersmith, London, Calzaghe started boxing at the tender age of nine. Although he lost his very first fight he knew he was a winner and with determination and hard work, has become one of the most successful boxers Great Britain has had.

Other prize winners for 2007

Celebrating Calzaghe's win was his father and coach, Enzo, who was doubly pleased having himself won an award as Coach of the Year.

Other sports personalities who scooped top prizes at the annual event include:

Roger Federer, who claimed Overseas Sports Personality of the Year Award
England's rugby union team, who took the Team of the Year Award
Tom Daley, who took the Young Sports Personality of the Year title for his achievements in diving.

England's former football manager, Sir Bobby Robson, received a special Lifetime Achievement Award for his successful career as a footballer and football manager.

Great names from the past

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, which has existed for more than 50 years, has saluted many British sporting greats.

Previous winners include England's former football captain, Bobby Moore; cricketer, Ian Botham; golfer Nick Faldo; Formula One racing driver, Damon Hill and Olympic champion, Sir Steve Redgrave.

For more information about the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, check out the link below.