By Jake Donovan

From the moment their fight ended, there was a considerable amount of debate as to who won the 12-round heavyweight clash between Chris Arreola and Travis Kauffman.

Two months and a drug test result later, it's as if the fight never happened.

Arreola claimed a split decision win in their NBC-televised bout last December in San Antonio, Texas. However, the result was officially changed to a No-Decision according to an updated suspension list as provided by Fight Fax, Inc. The change in verdict was due to the veteran heavyweight contender testing positive for marijuana, according to sources who requested anonymity as the details of the case are not yet a matter of public record.

Along with the forfeiture of the win, Arreola was hit with a 90-day administrative suspension issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, who didn't return a phone call seeking comment as this goes to publish. Efforts to seek comment from Arreola and his team were also unsuccessful.

The suspension is retroactive to the night of the fight, meaning that the Californian can resume training on March 12, 2016.

The latest piece of news only adds to what was largely a forgettable 2015 campaign for Arreola (36-4-1, 31KOs), who still aspires to become the first heavyweight of Mexican descent to win a world title. Even if the win stuck, the night was hardly a momentum builder for the outspoken heavyweight, who turns 35 one week before his suspension ends.

Following a second loss to Bermane Stiverne – the May ’14 rematch doubling as his second career title shot – Arreola saw his 2015 run get off to a shaky start. Grossly out of shape at a near-career heavy 262¼ lbs., he struggled mightily in an otherwise thrilling eight-round win over journeyman Curtis Harper, which served on the first-ever installment of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike TV.

Despite the poor showing, he was placed in position to where a win in his next fight would have landed a crack at unbeaten titlist Deontay Wilder. Arreola showed up more than 15-pounds lighter for his July CBS-televised clash with Fred Kassi, but – as he put – couldn’t find his rhythm in what felt like a sparring session that resulted in a 10-round draw.

Realizing he was running out of chances – and well short on public sympathy – Arreola showed up at 236 ½ lbs. for his 12-round showdown with Kauffman. The weight was his lightest in more than four years and physically appeared to have come off the right way.

Once the bell sounded, however, it was an entirely different story. Kauffman was stepping way up in class, putting forth the effort to compensate for the stage on which he performed. Arreola was forced to climb off the canvas, rallying late to barely pull out a hotly contested decision.

Little time is lost as Arreola did not have anything officially lined up in the near future. Public perception surrounding his next ring appearance, however, could prove to be another story.

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox