Fitz Vanderpool facts for kids

Fitzroy "Fitz the Whip" Vanderpool is a famous Canadian boxer. He was born on November 3, 1967, in Trinidad and Tobago. When he was six, he moved to Canada with his family. Fitzroy grew up in a very competitive home because all five boys in his family were boxers! This helped him dream big and work hard to become a world boxing champion. He is known as "Fitz The Whip," which stands for "With Hope It's Possible." Fitzroy has won six championship belts, making him one of Canada's most successful boxers.

Fitz's Championship Belts

Fitzroy Vanderpool won many important boxing titles during his career. Here are some of the major championships he held:

• 1996: Canadian Professional Boxing Federation title
• 1997: World Boxing Federation Intercontinental title
• 1998: World Boxing Council Welterweight Fecarbox title
• 1999: World Boxing Federation Superwelterweight World title
• 2002: World Boxing Council Superwelterweight Fecarbox title
• 2013: National Boxing Authority Middleweight title

Coming Back to Boxing

Fitzroy first stopped boxing professionally in 2005. At that time, he had a great record of 24 wins, 7 losses, and 4 draws, with 13 knockouts. He had already won five national and international titles.

But Fitzroy wasn't done yet! After about seven and a half years away from the sport, he decided to return. In March 2013, at 45 years old, he won the National Boxing Authority championship. He beat an opponent who was 17 years younger than him! This victory gave Fitzroy his sixth professional national title. It also made him the oldest Canadian boxing champion ever, taking the record from George Chuvalo. Fitzroy became a champion in three different weight classes.

Life After Boxing

Fitzroy announced he was retiring from professional boxing "for good" on January 4, 2014. This happened at the grand opening of his new gym, Vanderpool Fitness. George Chuvalo, the former oldest Canadian champion, was there to pass the torch to Fitzroy.

Even after retiring, Fitzroy continued to be recognized for his amazing career.

• In 2016, he was inducted into the Ontario Boxing Hall of Fame.
• He also received the Courage Award from the Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame.
• The National Boxing Authority Hall of Fame gave him a Service Award.

In January 2018, Fitzroy was chosen to be a candidate for a political party in Ontario, Canada. He ran for a seat in the provincial parliament for the area of Kitchener South—Hespeler. He finished in a close second place in the election.

Other Achievements

Fitzroy Vanderpool has achieved many things outside of the boxing ring:

• 1996: Named International Fire Safety Ambassador
• 1998: Named Kitchener-Waterloo's first 'Athlete of the Year'
• 2003: Recognized for helping with fire safety by International Fire Ambassadors
• 2006: Honored on Eastwood Collegiate's Wall of Recognition
• 2008: Inducted into the Waterloo County Sports Hall of Fame
• 2011: Inducted as a 'Legend' by Boxing Ontario
• 2015: Named 'National Ambassador' for StopBully.com
• 2016: Received the Community Service Award from the NBA Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame
• 2016: Inducted into the Ontario Boxing Hall of Fame
• 2016: Received the 'Courage Award' from the Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame
• 2017: Became an RBG Flag Ambassador
• 2018: Ran for Provincial Parliament
• 2018: Ran for City Council
• 2019: Received the Jackie Robinson 'Fortitude Award'

Fitz's Current Work

Fitzroy Vanderpool is very busy helping his community and inspiring others:

• He owns and runs Vanderpool Fitness & Boxing, a successful boxing gym in Waterloo, Ontario, since 2003.
• He is also the main coach for The WHIP Boxing Academy.
• Fitzroy started a non-profit organization called WHIPYIT (With Hope It's Possible Youth in Transition). This group helps young people build strength, confidence, and emotional well-being.
• He is an inspirational speaker for young people. He encourages them to set goals, chase their dreams, and never give up.
• He co-wrote a book called 'The Whip' with Sandra Cole. This book shares his inspiring journey and shows how anyone can succeed, even when things are tough.

Boxing Record