Joe Calzaghe crowned the year in which he became the undisputed world super-middleweight champion by being voted the BBCSports Personality Of The Year and then admitted: "I'm shocked.''
Calzaghe achieved that feat when cheered on by 50,000 fans at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff as he defeated Denmark's Mikkel Kessler.
The 35-year-old has been a world champion for 10 years and won all 44 of his professional fights.
He was presented with the BBCaward in Las Vegas by former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis.
Calzaghe said: "I'm shocked. It is a tremendous honour.
"It has been a great year for me with reaching 10 years as world champion and becoming undisputed world champion
"I said I didn't care last year when I came fourth but I lied. I am very proud. It is a massive honour.
"To get two boxers in the top three is amazing. It caps off a beautiful year for me. Hopefully next year I can have an even better year."
It completed a family double as Joe's father and boxing trainer Enzo was voted coach of the year at the awards ceremony in Birmingham.
Lewis Hamilton capped a memorable first season in Formula One by being voted runner-up.
Hamilton just missed out on winning Formula One's premier event as he was pipped in the final round in Brazil by Kimi Raikkonen by a single point.
But Hamilton showed his class by winning four Grands Prix and achieving 12 podium finishes in a fierce battle with his McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso.
"I am not disappointed about coming second," Hamilton insisted. "This time last year I was watching the event on TV and to be amongst all these great sporting people, and to finish second, is brilliant for me.''
Ricky 'The Hitman' Hatton finished third in the poll only 15 hours after his WBC welterweight title fight defeat at the hands of Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas.
It was the end of 29-year-old Hatton's streak of 43 successive wins in his career, including 31 knockouts.
The team of the year award was won by the England rugby union side who were narrowly beaten by South Africa in the World Cup final in Paris after a remarkable turn-around in their fortunes.
England recovered from losing 36-0 to South Africa in their group to overcome Australia in the quarter-finals and France in the last four.
They had last captured the award in 2003 when they lifted the World Cup courtesy of Johnny Wilkinson's dramatic drop-goal against Australia in final seconds of extra-time.
Coach Brian Ashton spelled out his desire to continue in the post. He said: "I'd love it again. I know there are people in the room who might be making that decision shortly. I'd love to do it again.''
And Wilkinson is also keen to participate in the next tournament in four years.
He said: "I'm hoping I've got another World Cup in me. If I'm there in four years' time, then brilliant.''
Tennis star Roger Federer won the overseas award for the third time in four years after equalling Bjorn Borg's record by securing a fifth successive Wimbledon singles title.
Federer won three of this year's Grand Slams and becomes only the second person to win the overseas award on three occasions after Muhammed Ali.
Alex Ferguson presented the lifetime achievement award to former England manager Bobby Robson for his contribution to football.
Robson has been involved in the game for six decades as player and manager since starting out as an inside forward with Fulham in 1950.
He was capped 20 times by England and as manager led them to the semi finals of the World Cup in 1990. The former Barcelona and Newcastle boss was given a standing ovation before receiving the award.
The Helen Rollason award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity went to Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorious.
Pistorious, who is nicknamed 'Blade Runner' is the double amputee world record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 metres events.
Diver Tom Daley, aged 13, was named the young personality of the year. He is already Britain's youngest 10 metre platform champion and a youth Olympics silver medallist.
The unsung hero award was won by 85-year-old Margaret Simons who impressed the judges for her commitment to her local football club Bardwell FC which she founded 43 years ago.