Calzaghe lands top award

World super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe has been named as Britain's boxer of the year.

Welshman Calzaghe was honoured at the Rbk British Boxing Board of Control awards night in London.

Calzaghe was clear favourite for the prize following his sensational victory over previously unbeaten American Jeff Lacy at Manchester's MEN Arena in March. The success enabled him to add the IBF title to the WBO championship belt he has held since beating Chris Eubank nine years ago.

Contest of the year was June's British welterweight title bout, in which Scotland's Kevin Anderson became champion with a 10th-round stoppage victory over West Bromwich's Young Muttley.

Anderson's manager Tommy Gilmour said: "It was a fight which had everything. It proved that Kevin had courage and ability and it proved that he could take and land a terrific punch.

"And when all looked lost he turned it around, so all in all it was just a tremendous fight - although it didn't do my ticker much good.

"After gaining those two belts, it is now great for Kevin to get this award. He is absolutely delighted."

South African bantamweight Tshifhiwa Muyai was voted overseas boxer of the year after winning and retaining the Commonwealth title.

Muyai stopped British champion Martin Power in nine rounds at York Hall in June and returned to Bethnal Green last month to halt Bristol's Commonwealth flyweight champion Lee Haskins in six.