Fitz "The WHIP" Vanderpool
"With Hope It's Possible"

I started my career in the US with no manager or promoter. After I had my first 6 matches in Boston and I realized I was not getting the proper training and preparation for my fights so I decided it was time to return to Canada. My trainer in the U.S told me I would have to buy my contract from him or sit out for 3 years. At 26, 3 years is an eternity, so I took a step of faith and found the money required to buy the contract invested in myself and returned proudly to Kitchener, the place where I grew up and continued dream chasing. Self promoted, managed and financed; it seemed impossible for "The Whip" to be a successful pro boxer having turned pro at 26." I can do all things in him who strengthens me"

After coming off a 6 round knock out loss to Former I.B.F World Champion Charles Murray in 1996 the opportunity to be the best in Canada presented itself. I had to fight #1 rated Tony "The Bad Boy" Badea who was 13-0 with 10 big knock outs. In 1996 that dream came true. I won the Canadian Professional Federation Welterweight Title with a dramatic 6^th round TKO over Tony Badea, it was the 1^st Pro Belt brought back to Kitchener in over 50 years and it was MINE! In 1996 I was also proclaimed an International Fire Safety Ambassador, another achievement I am proud of.

As a pro, I always had to work, while other boxers of the same caliber as myself trained full time. "Believe and Achieve," I went on to win 4 championship belts without a manager or promoter! I was going around telling people in 1998 that I would one day be a world champion, even if I have to do it all by myself. Some boxers are destined to be world champion, I was determined! In April 1999 I achieved my dream, the same one that every boxer has-being the best in the world. I became the W.B.F Super Weight Champion of the World… It was a victory that had me behind on all the scorecards and the only way to win was by a knockout! I achieved the impossible and won by a knock out!! I went on to successfully defend the WBF World Championship twice. "To achieve all that is possible, you must attempt the impossible." I believed in myself, I worked hard, made the necessary sacrifices and refused to listen to what doubters had to say. You hear people say things are impossible because they have never seen it done before. For me it brings me great joy to be the only world champion living in the Tri Cities, a city that has produced many incredible boxers.

Among my other accomplishments and titles are:

• Canadian Boxer of the Year 1997-1998
• NIKE Commercial with Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong
• Former # 1 WBC contender,
• Head Instructor & Director at The Whip Boxing Academy
• Awarded for Outstanding Contribution to Fire Safety 2003
• K-W's Inaugural Athlete of the Year (This one is special to me as I was chosen. Many are called but few are chosen).
• WCHF Hall of Fame
• Blessed with my young son Tremain.

I've been chosen to set a strong positive example for up and coming athletes and citizens in the community. The stone that builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. I've been blessed with a very successful boxing career.

An old friend of mine, a mentor and my late boxing coach, Arnie Boehm was and remains my guiding light. His experience in boxing gyms, has inspired and grounded me, Arnie would say, "It's a lonely role as a good coach, if it was easy, everybody would be doing it."

When you are successful, people have a way of talking about you, and not always in a positive way. Some are envious and jealous, but I believe that God has a plan for my life, and I will continue on this journey because of the many rewards that have come from it. I've been chosen and blessed in many ways. It is my passion for boxing and helping others that led me to open The Whip Boxing Academy in 2003. I was honoured to have Mayor Carl Zehr cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony of The Whip Boxing Academy. In addition to the Mayors presence, City Councillor Mike Galloway was also there share this day with me. Life is about making a difference… The Whip Boxing Academy has been open for over 5 years and we have had a great deal of success. We have produced a World Champion, 2 Canadian Champions, and several gold, silver and bronze medalists. We are currently looking for help and support from the business community to continue developing athletic skills in young people and giving them a chance to achieve their goals and dreams. The Whip Boxing Academy needs your support. We can be reached at www.fitzthewhip.com.

I've had a very successful boxing career… SUCCESS to me is measured in terms of people you affect as well as accomplishments…Did you succeed in meeting your Goal; your Vision; your Dream!! It is time to transfer my knowledge and experiences through The Whip Boxing Academy to young children and adults and assist in helping them better personally and in their community. I believe in helping others build self esteem, respect for self and others and giving them the confidence to deal with life's ordeals and challenges. I believe my calling now, is to share my life's work through inspirational and motivational speaking. Believing and Achieving are mottos I have come live by.

I would take time now to thank my good friend, who was also my amateur and pro boxing coach and trainer. He believed in me and inspired me when nobody else did. He helped me to see my vision in the darkness and keep my dream alive, a man who never got the respect or recognition as a good coach, Joseph Hajnal Sr. This man brought me to and through 4 Championship title belts. Living through me, his dream that was stopped short in his quest for the Olympics..It takes a special person and an even more special coach to be able to motivate a fighter and make them rise to the occasion to keep on going out and win Championship after Championship…He was there, as a good friend ,supporter ,mentor and one of the best coaches this country has produced Joseph Hajnal Sr.

I would like to thank my brother Ian and my friends who helped support me in this journey to accomplish what was deemed impossible.(Opportunity is sometimes missed as it disguised in coveralls and looks like work..) I'd like to thank my teacher and friend Walt Barnes for always believing in me, and all the people who were there to help ,listen or motivate me in any way whatsoever that I may be able to leave a legacy firstly in K/W and world wide…. It will probably be another 50 years or better before another fighter comes along and accomplishes the goals and championships that I have in the boxing ring.

I'd like to close with a little verse that I feel compelled to say, GOD didn't promise days with out pain, laughter without sorrow, sunlight without rain, but he did promise strength for the day ,comfort for the tears and sunlight for the way!!!

Thank you very much for your time,