The world heavyweight champions is the odds-on favourite to win the award after his victory over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April earned him the WBA and IBO belts to add to his existing IBF title.
Joshua recently defended his IBF title when he faced Carlos Takam at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
The 28-year-old’s fiercest competition, according to the bookies, in the Sports Personality of the Year award vote comes from Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and Tour de France winner Chris Froome.
2014 award winner Hamilton won a fourth Formula One drivers’ title last month, while Froome took victory in the Tour de France for the fourth time in the summer.
Mo Farah, who won the world 10,000 metres title in London but narrowly missed out on the 5,000m double in his final track season, is also on the list along with Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
The England international finished as the Premier League’s top scorer in 2016-17 for the second season in a row.
British women’s tennis number one Johanna Konta is also among the nominees having reached her best singles world ranking of four in the summer after the biggest win of her career at the Miami Open, where she beat Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki in the semi and final, and then reached the last four at Wimbledon.
Short-track speed-skater Elise Christie makes the list for becoming the first European woman to win the 1,000m, 1500m and overall gold at the World Championships in March.
Jonathan Rea, who secured a third successive World Superbikes title is another nominee, as is Jonnie Peacock after he secured gold at the IPC World Athletics Championships in the T44 100m.
Swimmer Adam Peaty’s record-breaking achievements at the World Aquatics Championships also see him as a contender for next month’s award.
The 22-year-old Olympic champion retained his 100m and 50m breaststroke titles, breaking his own world record twice in the shorter event and becoming the first man to swim the distance in under 26 seconds.
England women’s cricketer Anya Shrubsole makes the list for her performance as they won the World Cup on home soil.
The medium-pacer claimed six for 46, the best figures in the final at Lord’s, to turn the match on its head with India needing just 38 from 44 balls with seven wickets in hand.
Bianca Walkden, who successfully defended her world taekwondo heavyweight title in South Korea, completes the 12-strong list.
The winner will be decided by public vote, with the live show taking place in Liverpool on December 17.
