Grandmaster Vince Lacey, born to a Chinese mother and Irish father, grew up in the tough, working-class streets of Kowloon, Hong Kong during a time when martial arts were not only a cultural heritage, but a way of life. He came of age alongside now-legendary figures like Bruce Lee, sharing in the gritty, rooftop training culture that defined Hong Kong martial arts in the 1950s and ’60s. Initially, Vince and his brother Dave Lacey trained in Wing Chun, practicing on rooftops and in back alleys under the guidance of Bruce and other young fighters. But it was their eventual discovery of Buk Sing Choy Lay Fut under Master Lai Hung, and later Grandmaster Kong Hing, that would shape the trajectory of their martial journey — and alter the course of Buk Sing history.
Vince Lacey became a formidable fighter, known for his explosive power, endurance, and dedication to real-world application. He was one of the infamous Five Black Panthers of Choy Lay Fut, an elite group of Buk Sing fighters who trained relentlessly and tested their skills through rooftop challenge matches across Hong Kong. These sparring matches weren’t for show — they were raw, uncompromising contests that forged martial artists with unshakable confidence and combat readiness. The Black Panthers became symbols of a new generation — fierce, street-smart, and ready to carry Buk Sing into the future.
In 1966, Vince immigrated to Perth, Western Australia, where he opened the first Buk Sing Choy Lay Fut school in the country. At a time when kung fu was virtually unknown in Australia, Vince introduced not just techniques but a complete martial culture. He brought with him the same discipline, respect, and fighting spirit that had defined his training in Hong Kong. His school quickly gained a reputation for toughness and authenticity, attracting both curious beginners and serious fighters. Many of today’s senior instructors — including Sifu George Michielsen — began their journey under Vince’s guidance, learning not only martial arts but the deeper values of loyalty, perseverance, and tradition.
Later, Vince relocated to the United States, settling in San Francisco, where he established the Fremont Buk Sing Gwoon. There, he continued his life’s mission: to preserve and transmit authentic Buk Sing knowledge, maintaining the original forms, principles, and training methods passed down by his own masters. His legacy lives on through an international community of students and instructors who continue to honour the lineage he helped keep alive. Grandmaster Vince Lacey remains a foundational figure in the global Buk Sing tradition — a bridge between the rooftop battles of Hong Kong and the dojos of the West, and a man whose fierce dedication ensured the art would not be lost, but flourish for generations to come.
