Hernandez Tops Pond Fight Card : Boxing: Former world lightweight champion will return to the ring Feb. 5. It will be his first fight since losing to De La Hoya.

As expected, former world lightweight champion Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez will headline the first of Forum Boxing’s 18 shows at The Pond on Feb. 5. Hernandez, who lives in Mission Viejo, has not fought since losing to Oscar De La Hoya in Las Vegas on Sept. 9.

Hernandez, 29, had his nose broken by De La Hoya and has had plastic surgery to repair the damage. He began training two weeks ago and said he will begin sparring after Jan. 1.

There is no opponent yet for Hernandez, but the fight will be a 10-rounder. Hernandez said he is hoping to fight a top-10 contender.

“Anyone else would be a waste of my time,” Hernandez said. “I want to get my title back and to do that I have to fight the best.”

Hernandez, who had his World Boxing Assn. belt stripped before the De La Hoya fight for not fighting the WBA’s No. 1 contender, won a 10-round decision at The Pond last fall against Jorge Paez in nontitle bout.

“I’m hoping I put on a better performance this time than the Paez fight,” he said. “I don’t think the fans liked that too much. But Paez is a hard guy to fight.”

Pond official John Nicoletti said Forum Boxing season ticket-holders have begun purchasing tickets for the Feb. 5 show, which starts at 7 p.m. and will be televised by Prime Network. Tickets went on sale Monday and cost $100, $65, $35, $25 and $12.