CHERRIES striker Jermain Defoe is among the favourites for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

Defoe is one of the leading contenders to win the accolade after receiving praise for his support of Bradley Lowery.

The six-year-old, who was Defoe's mascot during Sunderland and England games last season, passed away earlier this month after fighting neuroblastoma.

Defoe befriended the terminally ill youngster as he battled his cancer and attended his funeral at the end of last week.

The 34-year-old, one of Cherries' summer signings, is priced at 5-1 by William Hill to win the award.

Boxer Anthony Joshua is the bookies' favourite after his epic victory over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April.

The heavyweight champion is 1-3 to win the award.

Liverpool's Echo Arena will host the event on December 17 and Joshua could become the first fighter since Joe Calzaghe to be the athlete 'whose actions have most captured the public's imagination this year'.

Andy Murray is the current holder of the award which is selected by a public vote from a pre-determined shortlist.