In 1903 at the Ko Sing theatre in Hong Kong, a European boxer had set up an open tournament to all challengers. (It is believed that this Europeans name was Jim Yavos, a Russian) This attracted many participants, but the causalities mounted as all those who fought with the foreigner were seriously injured! 

Master Lau Chung, who happened to be in Hong Kong at the time, was most disgusted with the outcome of these matches and wanted to challenge the European. The management, however, refused to let him participate due to the numerous injuries inflicted on the local participants. These injuries had resulted in a new rule that made all future challengers go through a trial test with Master Kai Biu, and then with his approval, they could challenge the European. 

Master Lau Chung therefore approached Woo Kai Biu for a challenge. Lau straight away applied JAU MA GWA SAU and succeeded in flooring Woo. Master Kai Biu, seeing that Lau was so young and proficient in his martial arts, asked Lau who his master was. Lau Chung told him that he was a student of Master Lai Yun, and his style was ‘Fut Gar’ (Buddha Style). Lau Chung was then permitted to challenge the European, and an agreement was made for a ten round bout. 

This open challenge tournament set up by the Russian ‘muscleman’ in Hong Kong offered prize money of $ 500.00, a considerable amount of money in 1899! The Russian was a giant compared to Master Lau Chung’s five foot seven inch frame.  

Lau Chung attacked with lightning speed at the Russian’s rib cage. For the first five rounds, although receiving many blows, the European was able to stay on his feet. Seeing this, Master Lau quickly changed tactics, and applied techniques of ‘Yub Ma Tui Darn (advance and pushing palm) and ‘Kwun Sun Chung Da’ (side-on cyclic punches), which crowded the European from all directions and he was unable to defend himself. He was finally knocked down, unable to regain his feet. Most of the ‘muscleman’s’ ribs were broken and because of the internal damage, he died from his injuries. 

Although Master Lau Chung won the contest, the police tried to arrest him for manslaughter, as he had not worn any boxing gloves during the contest. Master Lau evaded the police and returned to Canton where he later established a Kwoon with his student, Hung Duk Gong in 1910. 

 After this match, Master Lau Chung became very well known throughout the areas of Hong Kong and Canton, and he was highly respected for defending the honor of the Chinese people.

At that time, in the Chinese army, General Lee employed Master Lau Chung to instruct his troops in the martial arts. Master Lau was made a major and a personal bodyguard of the general. In General Lee’s camp was another instructor by the name of Wong Hon Wing, a top disciple of Master Wong Yun Lum. His favorite tactics were ‘Chuen’, ‘Pau’ and ‘Garb’. When he heard of Lau Chung, he went to see him to arrange a friendly match (as opposed to a challenge, or ‘Gong Sau’). Master Lau used his ‘Gwa’, ‘Sau’ and ‘Charp’ and Wong applied his famous ‘Chuen’, ‘Pau’ and ‘Garb’. 

The match resulted in a draw, and the two men soon became good friends and some time later both men resigned their posts from the military. While still in the general’s camp, someone wanted to stir the masters into additional fights. This person told Master Lau that that he wanted to open a Kwoon and hire Lau to teach for him, but unfortunately there was a notorious boxer by the name of Tarm Sarm who wouldn’t let him open a school unless Master Lau accepted a challenge with him. 

Upon hearing this, Master Lau quickly went to see Tarm Sarm, who he had already heard a great deal about. At the meeting, Master Lau told Tarm Sarm that about ten people wanted to learn under Tarm Sarm, but no one knew what style he came from or who his master was. Tarm Sarm, being modest, said that he was still only learning martial arts, so how could he qualify to go out and teach. Tarm Sarm told Master Lau, “My style is Fut Gar, and I learned under Master Lui Charn.” Learning this, Master Lau immediately realized that he was almost tricked into a fight with Tarm Sarm, and subsequently explained everything to him. 

After the meeting, Tarm Sarm recalled Master Lau’s famous name and the match he had won against the European in Hong Kong. The next day, Tarm Sarm and Wong To went to see Lau Chung, and Tarm Sarm asked him how he had won the fight with the European. At this point, Wong To understood Tarm Sarm’s intention of wanting to test Lau’s boxing skills. 

Master Lau agreed to a friendly contest, with Wong To acting as a referee. Tarm Sarm advanced with his “Fu Jau Charp Chui’. Lau quickly applied his ‘Gra So Pak Chuen Darn’ and ‘So Tui’ techniques. Despite his stamina and experience, Tarm Sarm was not able get Lau. He then quickly applied the ‘Tun Seem Tau Lau’ techniques, which made Master Lau’s chances of winning very slim. After this match was concluded, both masters developed many new techniques.

Master Lay Wing Sung (Vince Lacey), left, Tarm Fei Pang,
center, and Shane Lacey, right. Tarm Fei Pang is the
son of Great Grandmaster Tarm Sarm. This photo was taken
in 1985 in Hong Kong.