The California State Athletic Commission has cleared THE RING junior feathereweight champ Israel Vazquez (43-4, 31 KOs) to return to the ring after more than a year away from the sport due to an eye injury, it was announced Thursday.

Vazquez's last bout was his rubber match against Rafael Marquez on March 1, 2008, an instant classic that he won by split decision. Not long after the third bout, which was Fight of the Year, it was discovered that Vazquez suffered from torn retinas.

He underwent a series of eye operations that required significant recovery time, which has kept Vazquez under medical suspension until now.

Vazquez and manager Frank Espinoza will now consider his next fight, which they say will be at featherweight.