By Dan Ambrose: Former two time world title challenger Chris Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KOs) has reportedly failed a drug test from his last fight on December 12th against Travis Kauffman at the AT & T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Arreola’s narrow win over Kauffman has been changed to a no contest. Arreola is now suspended. Just how long the suspension will be is unclear.
This is a big blow for Arreola’s career, because things have been going badly for him since 2013. Arreola was beaten by Bermane Stiverne in that year by a 12 round decision. In 2014, Arreola made the mistake of facing Stiverne in a rematch for the vacant WBC heavyweight title, and he was stopped in the sixth round.
In Arreola’s last three fights since the loss to Stiverne, he struggled to beat second tier fighter Curtis Harper in March of last year in barely beating him by an eight round decision. In Berto’s next fight against Fred Kassi, Arreola fought to a controversial 10 round draw in a fight that many boxing fans thought Kassi had done enough to win. Then in Arreola’s last fight, he struggled badly to beat Kauffman.
Things aren’t looking good for the 34-year-old Arreola. However, it’s not over for him. When he eventually goes come back from his suspension, he’ll be useful for the top contenders to fight.
Arreola might even get lucky and get another world title shot if he can put enough wins together. It’s too bad that Arreola is being suspended because he would be a good option for someone like IBF champion Charles Martin, Anthony Joshua and Luis Ortiz. Those guys need a fighter with a name and Arreola would be perfect for them.
Chris Arreola failed a drug test after his Dec fight and he's been suspended and the result changed to a no decision. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) February 9, 2016
Arreola looked horrible against Kauffman, and it’s hard to believe he failed the drug test. Of course, we don’t know what Arreola tested positive for.
Arreola fought for a world title for the first time back in 2009, when he lost to Vitali Klitschko by a 9th round stoppage. Arreola’s career was going well up until that point. He was then beaten by Thomasz Adamek by a 12 round decision in April 2010. That was a winnable fight for Arreola, but he injured his left hand and had to fight mostly with right.
When Arreola does come back to resume his pro career, he needs to focus on his training and look to get the best possible fights. Arreola should look to get the best paying fights he can because I think he might not have time left as a top tier guy.
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