China to host 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup

Manny Pacquiao just got knocked out.

Despite the boxer and politician leading the push for the Philippines to host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the People's Republic of China was able to secure a narrow decision.

China will host the 2019 tournament, FIBA announced early Friday.

The tournament is normally held every four years, and was last held in Spain in 2014, but the 18th installment will end a five-year hiatus as organizers no longer want the competition to coincide with the FIFA World Cup.

The tournament will also expand from 24 teams to 32, with China punching an automatic ticket as the host nation.

China is also hosting the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in September, with the winner of that tournament qualifying for the 2016 Olympics. The winner of the 2019 Basketball World Cup will qualify for the 2020 Olympics.

The bid from China was aided by ambassador Yao Ming, with China touting its infrastructure and facilities progress against the Philippines, which leaned on its basketball history and freedom of media to make a case. China's team is ranked 14th by FIBA, while the Philippines ranks 31st.