Paul Kroll left the judges unable to determine a winner for his second consecutive ShoBox appearance.

The unbeaten Philadelphia-based prospect was held to an eight-round draw versus Argentina’s Guido Schramm in their Showtime-televised co-feature Friday at Wind Creek Events Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Kroll managed a 77-75 nod on one card, overruled by matching scores of 76-76 to leave both to settle for a majority draw in their junior middleweight bout.

Kroll was aggressive out the gate, determined to establish his right hand as Schramm—a visiting Argentine who lives and trains in Los Angeles—insisted to fight at close range. The Philly native found early success during those exchanges, as he entered the fight determined to erase the memory of an eight-round draw versus Marquis Taylor on his previous ShoBox appearance more than a year ago.

Schramm made his presence felt in a high-volume round two. Kroll was unable to avoid a right uppercut, which Schramm followed with a crisp left hook. Kroll was able to rally back and catch Scrhamm with right hands.

Kroll went to the body in round three. Both boxers had their moments, particularly in a fun two-way exchange that saw Schramm connect upstairs and snap back the head of his unbeaten foe.

More pressure was applied by Schramm in round four. Kroll attempted lateral movement to offset the approach but was clipped by a right hand immediately after he was warned for excessive holding. Schramm cornered Kroll and continued to bounce overhand rights and left hooks off Kroll’s chin.

Momentum appeared to remain with Schramm through five rounds. His corner felt different, however. The message between rounds was that he needed to close the show, for fear that the regional judges would score for the Philly-based prospect.

Kroll looked for counter opportunities in round six. Schramm often took the bait and was wild with his right hand. Kroll was unable to land anything of significance in return but his movement clearly provided fits from the heavy-handed Schramm, who expended a lot of energy as he missed with his power shots.

Schramm landed a right hand one minute into round six. It came as he showed visible signs of fatigue along with blood from a cut just outside his right eyebrow. Kroll seemed to reserve his energy as he spent much of the round tying up Schramm before he offered combinations during a 30-second drill before the bell.

Both fighters were urged to leave no doubt in the eighth and final round. Schramm went left-hook heavy, landing a couple though a slip by Kroll saw one shot instead connect with a ringside camera. Kroll tied up when necessary and successfully countered with left hooks when Schramm overshot with his own hooks and right hands.  

The close action in several rounds left both to settle for a draw. Kroll is now 10-0-2 (6KOs), while Schramm’s record moves to 16-1-2 (11KOs).

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox