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Golden Boy to personally hand World Cup trophy to Arroyo Cebu Daily News Last updated 04:20pm (Mla time) 08/14/2007

Sacramento, California - The Golden Boy Oscar De la Hoya is expected to arrive in the Philippines next week to personally deliver the gold-and-diamond encrusted World Cup trophy to the country for winning the title over Mexico, 5-1, last Saturday here at the Arco Arena. Sources have indicated that De la Hoya is arriving with the Cup, and will also most likely join the Philippine team members when they visit President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacañang. The winning fighters, as well as Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista who lost in the main event to Daniel Ponce De Leon, are slated to arrive on Wednesday on a PAL flight from Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the Philippines is slated to defend the World Cup either next year or in 2009 against any of the top Latino countries. International matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz revealed in an interview that they have yet to choose the country that will challenge the Philippines, which has just been installed the world's superpower in boxing after thrashing Mexico in Saturday's World Cup. Among the countries being installed as possible challengers are Puerto Rico, Venezuela and even Japan, which has reportedly expressed interest in joining the World Cup. Two more wins by the Philippines in the World Cup will allow the country to perennially own the gold-anddiamond encrusted Cup. /Correspondent Salven Lagumbay