Photo: Vincent Ethier – Jhon Orobio (9-0, 8 KOs) during the press conference last May in Shawinigan, where he demonstrated the extent of the progress of his French.
AS YOU OFTEN HEAR WHEN TALKING ABOUT ANY BOXING CARD ORGANIZED BY EYE OF THE TIGER, THE TIGRE OF THE TIGRES, JHON ‘EL TIGRE’ OROBIO, WILL BE IN ACTION NEXT JUNE 6, AT THE MONTREAL CASINO.
This is already a 10th fight in nearly 15 months for Orobio, since his arrival in Quebec from Cali, Colombia, in March 2023. This upcoming duel will, however, not be like the others. Twelve days after fighting in Mauricie, Orobio will fight his first battle scheduled for 8 rounds against the Mexican Jose de Leon Jasso (13-4-1, 6 KOs).
In the red corner, the adopted Montrealer has never gone beyond the 4th round. In the blue corner, an 18-fight veteran who has never been stopped. Plus, we can compare. Jasso will be in his 3rd consecutive fight in the country. In his last outing, last September, he went the limit of 8 rounds against Mathieu Germain.
It’s not that big of a deal, but it’s kind of.
Is he on the fast track, at only 20 years old? Yes and no, because he doesn’t really skip steps, or in this cas fights, he’s just fighting a lot. It’s like sprinting a marathon.
In 5 questions
How is life here, and in fact, why did you choose Canada?
J.O.: Thank God, I am already adapting well and I feel good. I decided to come, because it had always been my dream to be world champion and I knew that by coming here, I would be given the keys to achieve it. Seeing two Colombians – Eleider Alvarez & Oscar Rivas – become champions here, with Marc Ramsay, gave me all the trust I needed.
It’s still a lot of sacrifice, leaving everything you know, heading into the unknown. What motivates you the most through all of this?
J.O.: My greatest motivation is to make my dreams come true. Dreaming, when I say that, I say it knowing that every achievement requires sacrifice to achieve them… which is what brought me here. But in terms of motivating me to, well, stay motivated, my family is my fundamental driving force.
When talking about this dream, one of your coaches, Samuel Décarie-Drolet, often said that you wanted to achieve it quickly. So for you, when would the summit be?
J.O.: I always thought that my efforts weighed more than time itself. By making all this effort, and always remaining ready for war, I believe that within a year and a half or two, I could be world champion.
*Which brings us between January 1 and June 1, 2026*
. . . And I say this, with the help of God and in the name of God, I will make this dream come true no matter who I have to face!
*Without putting an official date, he is not the only one to believe in it*
But otherwise, what does Jhon Orobio do when he’s not training?
J.O.: I sometimes go out to see the city, but I’m more into relaxing at home.
*‘Mamba Mentality’ obliges, to fight every month and aim for the summit in less than 2 years, ‘El Tigre’ is often, very often, in training*
And that being said, why ‘El Tigre’?
J.O.: Because the tiger represents strength, patience, rigor, victory and courage, even in danger.
ANECDOTE:
In addition to putting together delicious interviews like this one on the Punching Grace website, some people know that I also manage social networks there.
Like many, Jhon Orobio reshares content that concerns him. What is rarer, however, is being told ‘thank you’ for each publication.
That’s Jhon Orobio for you all. He is not only grateful to God, he is grateful in life.
