BBC Sports Personality Short List Announce

[johnnywb]

So here it is;

Joe Calzaghe -
Undisputed world super-middleweight boxing champion. - Got to be in with a shout?

Lewis Hamilton -
World championship runner-up in his rookie Formula One season. - Was always going to be there and has to be a front runner?

Ricky Hatton -
Fights Floyd Mayweather for WBC world title on eve of show. - Could be in the mix with a lot of publicity in the days before the vote

Andy Murray -
Broke into the world top 10 despite an injury that ruled him out of Wimbledon. - And?

Christine Ohuruogu -
Returned from one-year ban for missing three drugs tests to land world 400m title in Osaka. - Not enough against this lot.

Paula Radcliffe -
Won the New York Marathon just 10 months after giving birth to a baby daughter. - Not really enough compared to some of the others.

Jason Robinson -
Retired after playing key part in England making the Rugby World Cup final. - Would be good to see him win it, but i think there's more deserving people here

Justin Rose -
Captured golf's European Order of Merit title. - Don't follow golf personally so ??

James Toseland -
Claimed the World Superbikes Championship for the second time. - Surely got to be in the mix, but not high profile enough?

Jonny Wilkinson -
Shrugged off injury to help England to Rugby World Cup final. - But has done very little else.

So i reckon it's between;
Lewis
Toseland
Calzaghe

But seeing as it's a phone vote, Lewis surely has to be favourite?

Thoughts?

[rupert the dog]

Not a bike fan, more cars, but Toseland, seems like a really good guy, heard him interviewed on the radio recently and came over really, well, you'd probably enjoy a pint with him.

[Pesty]

James Toseland Should win it by a landslide. I dont think he will because WSB does not get the coverage.
James seems like a really nice guy. Always freindly and willing to sign autographs and he won in style!

Damn never watched this sports personality for years if get to vote via phone I might have to break the habit of a lifetime.

Edited by Pesty on Friday 30th November 21:57

[Johnny]

I'd be happy to see JT, Calzaghe or Hatton win it TBH. Even Lewis at a push...

[NickFRP]

wheres alan curbishly?

[gtr-gaz]

If it's not Lewis, I will eat your hat!

[MonkeyHanger]

I'd say Hamilton, Calzaghe and Hatton, probably in that order. Personally i'd prefer to see Calzaghe win it.

No mention for Andy Priaulx but i suppose winning 3 World Titles in your chosen sport isn't worthy of recognition whilst missing 3 drug tests clearly is.

Edited by MonkeyHanger on Friday 30th November 22:18

[Rob S]

Hamilton by a mile

[Furyblade_Lee]

I think Calzaghe deserves it, he is a living legend in boxing. Hatton is not high profile enough (yet). The bikers the same, they have excelled in their field. But I am sure Hamilton will win it. I am a fan, but for him to have come any less than 4th in the championship in that car would have been tragic for his reputation. Even serial Bridesmaid Coulthard could have come 4th in that car FFS. He pulled Alonso's pants down in front of Billions, and he carries himself well. A fantastic role model "for sure". But PERSONALITY? He stereotypically says "for sure" in typical Formula 1 script, and I am sure Button would have whooped Alonso in that car. Lets hope McClaren does not build a s*****r of a car next year, of Hamilton will fade like the other Brits. Could be his best ever chance this year. For sure.

[srebbe64]

If it really was judged on 'personality' I guess it would be one of the boxers. However, it's judged on 'popularity' so it will be Hamilton (appeals to all ages and colours, he was an underdog, etc..)

[Parrot of Doom]

Hatton tbh, purely for having the bravado to tell Floyd Mayweather to 'stop touching my cock you ing puff'

[V7TTE]

Hamilton wins, of course. Maybe Steve McLaren second, Harry Redknapp third?

[g4ry13]

I'm going to bet on Hatton winning his fight and also doing a double on Hatton winning fight and sports personality. I'm pretty sure Hamilton will win, but maybe if Hatton wins it will be so fresh in people's minds that it could swing it for him. No chance for Calzaghe to win.

Edited by g4ry13 on Saturday 1st December 01:03

[Pony]

if its not Calzaghe its a farce, like last time. but i suppose he could wait till next year when he ends his career.

Hamilton shouldn't win at all IMO, due to him only being at the start of his career and ultimately he didn't win the title this year. probably will win though.

Toseland doesn't have a chance even though he is one of the most deserving

[Leadfoot]

It should be Toseland, as he's a world champ in a sport where the UK round has the highest attendance figure of any single sporting event in the country.

But in the end TV talks. So Hamilton will get it. Not to belittle what he's done this year, an increadible achievment, but he's not yet a world champ.

Calzaghe and (if he wins) Hatton, should also be above Hamilton in the pecking order IMHO. But again it's down to TV/sponsorship.

[TheGreatSoprendo]

How do you vote? If Calzaghe doesn't win it'll be an absolute travesty, but I reckon Hamilton will get it unfortunately.

[bigburd]

took a £10 bet @ 15:1 for Lewis Hamilton back in March

[horza]

Hatton will win it because everyone who knows bugger all about sport loves the cheecky-chappie from Manchester.

He's fairly deserving I suppose but IMO big Joe or JT should win it.

[Lordbenny]

Sorry Lewis, but you've really got to win something first!

[spidermanUK]

bigburd said:

took a £10 bet @ 15:1 for Lewis Hamilton back in March

The odds are slightly shorter now, best available is 4/11.

If you, bigburd, want to be "sure" of making money, stick a tenner on Hatton at 4/1, Calzaghe at 9/1 and Toseland at 200/1.

But TBH, I think you'd be wasting your money, Lewis will win it by an enormous margin!