LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Oscar De La Hoya took a second, stepped back and a smirk creased his face when asked about the likelihood of Floyd Mayweather Jr. fighting Manny Pacquiao next year. The Hall of Fame fighter and president of Golden Boy Promotions is one of the few that doesn’t do somersaults any time the possibility of a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is made.

Much was made of Mayweather’s interview on Showtime Friday night, which basically didn’t rule out a mega-fight between the two aging superstars on May 2 but was also spliced with hardcore contingencies that complicate matters between the cable giants HBO and Showtime.

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” De La Hoya told RingTV.com after watching Amir Khan dominate Devin Alexander in what could be arguably Khan’s best career performance on Saturday.

“I’ve been waiting five years just like everybody else for Pacquiao-Mayweather. So I’ll believe it when I see it.

“Egos are in the way – that’s it. I think people must learn and take a page out of my book. I was willing to fight anyone. When I say ego is not my amigo, it’s really not. It keeps you from making the right decision, because of your ego. They should make this fight for the fans (but) I don’t think it could happen. I know everyone wants to see Pacquiao-Mayweather.

“They have to make this fight for the fans. Egos are in the way. We do have a nice Plan B for Mayweather in Amir Khan. He has the size and right style to beat him.”

Mayweather spoke about the elusive super fight happening on May 2, which both Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions earmarked for the middleweight championship between Canelo Alvarez and Miguel Cotto.

Then there is the HBO-Showtime conflict. HBO has Pacquiao, and won’t let go of the fighter who’s been their prime guy the last six years. Mayweather still has two more fights on his six-fight Showtime deal – and he said Pacquiao-Mayweather happens on Showtime. HBO will not bend for that.

“It’s a difficult spot for both networks, and that’s another huge conflict, and no one is going to give in or give up,” De La Hoya said. “So like I said, and have been saying, I’ll believe Pacquiao-Mayweather will happen when I see them both in the ring.”