By Jake Donovan

Jerry Odom was six minutes from a big win over Ronald Ellis before letting their Showtime-televised fight slipping away. Ironically, he now gets to take his previous opponent's place in hopes of coming correct in his latest chance of a lasting impression.

The aggressively-matched prospect from Maryland steps in for Ellis in a scheduled eight-round supper middleweight matchup versus Julius "The Chef" Jackson. The bout takes place July 22 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. on a show commemorating the 15th anniversary of Showtime's ShoBox: The New Generation prospect-based series.

Ellis was originally due to put his unbeaten record on the line against the second-generation contender in Jackson, but was forced to withdraw on Thursday after suffering an injury to his right hand. 

Odom (13-2-1, 12KOs) makes for a fitting replacement on the anniversary edition in more ways than one. The bout marks his fifth series appearance, all coming within his last six starts. Not to mention, he gets the chance to move past what he believes should have been a win over Ellis in their Shobox shootout earlier this year. 

"I have been training for a few fights that fell through. I’m in shape and ready to go,” Odom said in a statement released by Showtime's press office. "When my team got the call we decided it was the right decision to take this opportunity.

"My power will be a big factor. Jackson has faced punchers before, but he hasn’t faced one like me. This is a great opportunity, and I will put on a show next Friday."

Jackson (19-1, 15KOs) fights for the first time since suffering a shocking 2nd round knockout loss to Jose Uzcategui in a title eliminator last October. An award-winning chef in his native Virgin Islands (hence the nickname), Jackson is the son of famed former two-division titlist Julian Jackson, universally regarded as one of the best one-punch knockout artists in boxing history. He and his brother John (a current super welterweight contender) both served on the 2008 Virgin Islands Olympic boxing team.

Headlining the show, San Antonio's Adam Lopez (15-0, 7 KOs) faces Roman Ruben Reynoso (18-1-1, 7 KOs) in the 10-round super bantamweight battle. In an eight round lightweight bout, O’Shaquie Foster (10-1, 7 KOs) meets Rolando Chinea (12-1-1, 6 KOs).

Lopez, Odom and Foster all appeared on the same ShoBox card in February. 

Twitter: @JakeNDaBox_v2