Photo: Virginie Assaly – Jhon Elin Orobio
The stiff jab to the pit of the stomach got José de Leon Jasso’s attention. Moments into the opening round of their bout at Casino Montreal last June, Jhon Orobio was already battering Jasso’s beltline. If the body blows continued, the battle-tested Mexican veteran knew they would sap his energy later.
But Orobio’s first significant power punch, a short sharp counter right to Jasso’s temple, made it plain that the undefeated prospect didn’t intend to go the distance. That punch dropped Jasso for an eight count, and one round later Orobio unleashed the showstopper – a quick left hook to the jaw that put Jasso on the canvas for good, cementing Orobio’s 10th professional win.
By November, Orobio had scored two more knockouts to improve his pro record to 12-0 (11 KO). He still hasn’t won any belts but in January he secured an unofficial but prestigious title when Ring Magazine named him a Champion of Tomorrow at junior welterweight. That accolade came a week after the publication named him one of its 2024 Prospects of The Year.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Jhon Orobio vs. Jose de Leon Jasso (June 2024)
If you’re wondering how a 21-year-old who has never competed professionally outside Quebec caught the attention of power brokers at the world’s most revered boxing publication, you could point to his body of work. He has stopped four fighters in the first round, and six more in round two, even though most of his opponents have been durable veterans with winning records.
Or you could focus on the power, precision, and poise that have kept his record perfect. Jasso was brought in to take Orobio the eight-round distance. Orobio dispatched him in a round and a half.
From either angle Orobio’s potential is obvious, to fans and Ring Magazine decision-makers alike.
Orobio says he’s grateful for the honour from the Bible of Boxing, but says it’s less a destination than a springboard to bigger things.
“It’s a great honour, but what I want is beyond that,” said Orobio, who is scheduled to face Sebastian Aguirre on March 14 at L’Espace St-Denis in Montreal. “I don’t feel like a rookie. I feel like a boxer ready to show that I’m made for this.”
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Jhon Orobio vs. Joel Ivan Manriquez (September 2024)
For 2025, Orobio has outlined some ambitious but realistic goals:
-Finish the year ranked in the top 20 among the major sanctioning bodies.
-Build a skill set that will let him compete with the decision’s elite – if the call comes.
“I want to fight everybody,” he said, naming Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez as champions he’d like to face in the next two years.
And he’s eager to represent his native Colombia on the world stage, eventually returning home as a world champion, and defending his title there.
“Representing my country fills me with pride,” said Orobio, who was born and raised in Cali, in western Colombia. “I can make history. More than history. A legend.”
Orobio’s rapid rise through the rankings is unfolding amid some profound changes in his personal life.
Twenty months ago, his then-girlfriend gave birth to their daughter, Sheyla, who still lives with her mother in Cali. During a visit to Cali this past December Orobio married his current partner, Charerlin Natalia.
And since signing with Eye of The Tiger, Orobio spends most of his time in Montreal, where French is the main language and English is secondary. Orobio didn’t speak either when he arrived in 2023.
Two years later he still doesn’t speak English, but has a firm grasp on functional French.
“It’s improving, little by little. I can order a coffee,” he said. “If they ask me, I can answer. ‘Je m’appelle Jhon Orobio. Je viens de Colombie.’”
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Jhon Orobio vs. Jacopo Colli (November 2024)
Since moving to Montreal, Orobio has become even more fluent in pugilism.
His clinical destruction of Jasso sent a clear message to the boxing world, as did his next win, a second-round knockout over Joel Manriquez. Midway through round two he made a seamless switch between orthodox, the stance from which he wobbled Manriquez with a right hand, to southpaw, from which he landed the straight left that ended the fight.
Orbio’s win over Jacopo Colli last November spoke even more clearly. A straight right from long range dropped Colli for the first time, and a quick overhand right from close quarters put him down again, prompting the referee to stop the fight. Colli entered that bout with an undefeated pro record, and an amateur résumé that included a stint on Italy’s national amateur team – and he lasted 72 seconds.
For his part, Orobio says his day-to-day training with head coach Marc Ramsay emphasizes patience, to prepare him for opponents who can withstand his power.
“Every time you advance, you have new opponents that are a little bit stronger,” he said. “So I’m focused on that – improving so I can achieve what I want.”
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Marc Ramsay and Jhon Orobio (May 2024)
Aguirre, a rugged Argentine gatekeeper, figures to present that type of challenge. He’s 19-6 but has only been stopped once, by Steve Claggett. Last May he went 10 rounds with undefeated prospect Mazlum Akdeniz, and in October he floored Luis Santana before losing an eight-round decision in a fast-paced slugfest.
On paper, it’s Orobio’s toughest test.
In the ring, Orobio says he’ll pass it with power, poise and patience.
“I’m like a box of surprises, and I’m going to surprise the public,” he said.
