By Mark Vester
 
Former champion Israel Vazquez, regarded as one of best fighters in the world, is counting down the days until he is medically cleared to return to the ring. Vazquez had surgery to his right eye to correct a detached retina. The process to get his license straightened out has been a long ordeal.
 
When Vazquez returns, his will compete at featherweight. He is no longer going to compete at super bantamweight but not due to weight issues. He says a lot of the good opponents are at 126.
 
"I got discharged in January and every three weeks I get a checkup with my ophthalmologist Jerry Sebag. I hope to God that I can return in August or September, but I have to deal with my license. I will continue fighting, but there are other certain medical requirements by the California State Athletic Commission," Vazquez told ESTO.

"I would like to go directly at Steven Luevano. I don't think I'm going back to 122-pounds but not because of a weight problem. At 126 there are good opponents. A fight against Juanma Lopez would also be interesting."
 
Vazquez says the CSAC must approve all of his medicals and determine that his vision is good enough to fight.
 
"I feel good. They must approve that my vision is fine in order to climb back in to the ring, and review all of my medical examinations. We would like to be back in the gym after 14 months of forced vacation," Vazquez said.
 
The biggest fight that fans would like to see is a fourth meeting with Rafael Marquez. While he is open to the fight, nobody has really spoken to him about it at the present.
 
"We can have it, but in reality I do not know. Frank Espinoza, who I talk to every day, has not said anything to me about it. I am very grateful to him (Frank) for all of the care that he has always given to me, especially in the latter months of my eye problem. He told me 'you recuperate and then we will talk about boxing.' I'm still in the fight and soon I will see a ring. Thank you for your support," Vazquez said.