Fitzroy Carter “Fitz the Whip” Vanderpool

Fitzroy Carter Vanderpool was born in Trinidad and Tobago in 1967. He has been a Canadian citizen and resident of Kitchener since the age of six. His love of boxing began at the age of nine and his life has since been devoted to the sport.

In 1993, at the age of 26, Fitz “The Whip” turned professional and went on to win five professional boxing titles, including the Canadian Professional Boxing Federation Welterweight Championship in 1996. He was crowned the World Boxing Federation Inter Continental Champion in 1997 and in 1999 went on to win the WBF Super Welterweight World Championship. In 1997-98 the Canadian Professional Boxing Federation named him Canadian Boxer of the Year.

In addition to his successful professional boxing career, Vanderpool has been recognized for his lifetime commitment to health, fitness and community service in Kitchener-Waterloo. In 1997 he was named Kitchener-Waterloo’s Inaugural Athlete of the Year. He is one of 10 people selected to appear on the Eastwood Collegiate 50th Anniversary Wall of Recognition. He has been proclaimed an International Fire Safety Ambassador and in 2003 awarded for his Outstanding Contribution to Fire Safety. Vanderpool has been featured on CKCO as a Local Hero and Community Champion; he has been a celebrity judge for the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest parade; and he has run for City Council.

Currently, Vanderpool is the head instructor and owner of The Whip Boxing Academy where he continues to thrive in the boxing community, producing young champions and transferring his knowledge and skills to young people.