British Sportsman of the Year 2007

[Tosti]

On Sunday night the BBC ran its annual British Sports Personality of the year, where viewers can phone in and vote from a shortlist of 10 (i think) sportsmen/women.

Much to most people's surprise Lewis-Hamilton was knocked into second place by Joe Calzaghe, rightfully so in my opinion. Hatton was in third, and would probably have won if he had beaten PBF.

Joe was still in Vegas supporting Ricky, where they received their awards, Calzaghe senior also picked up the 'Manager of the Year award'.

This was the first time that there have been two boxers in the top three contenders, giving some creedence to theory that British boxing is enjoying it's most successful period to date.

Some shrewdly placed adverts in Boxing News could do wonders for the sale of TB!

[mh2365]

Calzaghe had a good year.

[Cap]

Here in the frozen north, the much revered Lou Marsh Award for Canada's top athlete went to Sidney Crosby, but Ontario's Steve Molitor finished in the top five. Long time since a pro boxer made the short list.

Cap

[Mad Bomber]

I actually find it kind of odd that a boxer has never won the athlete of the year in Canada, as we have had a number of good boxers since 1936 which
I believe is when the Lou Marsh Award was first awarded.

Greg

[Cap]

Yeah, there's a definite negative attitude amongst the present-day sportswriters, but you'd think back in the day there would've been at least one. Most likely it was the Toronto-centric scope of the panel in those days and the dim view of the prize ring taken in the old puritanical city in the days when you couldn't buy so much as a pack of gum on Sundays. Also, I think most of the early awards went to amateur athletes.

Cap

[Mad Bomber]

Cap, Interesting you should say that because I agree 100%. A producer here
in the newsroom in Toronto just asked me if I would be interested in helping
him on a possible article no boxing in Ontario, and although I am willing to help my question was What Boxing in Ontario?? outside of Steve Molitor who
has signed a multi-fight deal with Casino Rama outside of Toronto there is
not much happening here.

The last time there was a great deal on interest in Ontario you have to o back to when Clyde Gray was a contender thirty years ago. I have lived in
Halifax, Montreal and Summerside, P.E.I.also, and at least in Quebec there is great interest.

Greg

[Cap]

There was Billy Irwin a little while ago who boxed in a annual black tie charity card if I recall correctly. Boxing in Toronto needs another local boy like Steve Molitor to excite fan interest like we had back in the day. A young exciting fighter like a Clyde Grey will draw the fans back and force the media to pay attention. Media exposure will increase his marketability and before you know it he'll be winning awards like Joe Calzaghe won the British Sportsman of the Year....

Cap


P.S. There have been a few cards at the Hershey Centre I hear.

[Mad Bomber]

Cap, you are correct. There are cards at the Hershey Centre from time to time, and I did attend one of Billy Irwin's fights a few years ago where he lost
a Unanimous Decision after previously winning an dreadful majority decision
a few months earlier.


Greg