December draws ever nearer and with it comes a chance for people to review the year that was. We all love lists and in sport one of the lists the public can influence is the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. And with the national football team failing, it’s unlikely that any footballers will be making the shortlist.

There is a diverse list of sports represented this year and it will be a chance for many of the under-represented sports stars to be recognised. Amongst the sports expected to feature prominently are Formula One, boxing, golf and athletics.

Boxers Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe have again reigned supreme this year, both winning high-profile fights. Hatton will fight Floyd Mayweather in a career-defining contest, and on the eve of the show he told the BBC: “I'd like to think that if I beat Mayweather and prove myself the best in boxing, I'd win Sports Personality of the Year. But I haven't built up my hopes."

'Victory in Las Vegas would surely see Hatton edge out Calzaghe'


Welshman Calzaghe has been a world champion for a decade and defeated Mikkel Kessler to unify the  super-middleweight titles earlier this year. He has never lost and has beaten the likes of Chris Eubank and Jeff Lacy in what many pundits described as one of the greatest performances by a British boxer. Both have a great chance of winning the public vote and Hatton’s chances will almost certainly be boosted by the proximity of the Mayweather fight. Victory in Las Vegas would surely see him edge out Calzaghe. He is also loved by the public for his down-to-earth manner.

Lewis Hamilton is the bookmakers' favourite following a record-breaking rookie season in Formula One. He became the youngest driver to lead the World Championship and was just one point short of claiming the title. Hamilton showed the maturity of a seasoned racer - rumours of team spying and difficulties with team-mate Fernando Alonso didn’t phase the young driver. He holds the record for the most consecutive podiums in a debut season, the most consecutive podiums for a British driver and the most wins in a debut season.

The 2002 Sports Personality winner, Paula Radcliffe, gave birth to daughter Isla in January, and remarkably 10 months later won the New York Marathon. She is a firm favourite with fans across the country and a role model for many British athletes.

These are the four main contenders but awards, like sport, can be unpredictable and outsiders such as England rugby star Jonny Wilkinson, Scotland's Euro 2008 hero James McFadden and golfer Justin Rose are sure to poll well following very good seasons.

The title of the award is slightly misleading; the winner often lacks 'personality' - the winner is usually someone who has achieved most over a year. It is difficult to distinguish between champions in different sports, but it should be Hatton or Calzaghe who takes the title. Both have won world title fights this year, unlike Hamilton who just fell short and whose time will surely come. My vote goes to Hatton who has a great personality, is an engaging and humorous speaker, and an all-round nice guy.