Seven held after boxing roulette ends in death

The alleged "big sister" of a notorious triad society and six members have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 27-year-old man at a Tai Kok Tsui boxing gym in June.

The arrest of the "big sister" came after six members - five men and a woman - were nabbed by police on August 24 following the death of Luk Wing, a clerk with a triad background.

In Monday's swoop, the alleged "big sister" of the Wo Shing Wo triad society and six triad members were arrested when police raided a unit in Regentville, a residential complex in Fan Ling.

The seven were still being detained for questioning as of last night.

Police said that on June 25, Luk entered the boxing gym, which he ran in an industrial building on Larch Street, as seen in the CCTV footage.

Shortly afterward, police added, dozens of Wo Shing Wo members entered the premises, demanding Luk return the HK$1 million he was said to have embezzled from "big sister."

The members forced Luk to fight one-on-one kickboxing matches, warning him that they would not let him walk free unless he won all the fights. An hour later, after defeating eight men, Luk was knocked unconscious while fighting in his ninth match.

The next morning, Luk was found unconscious by five gym users, with bruises to his head and other parts of the body. He was carried by the five men into a taxi and taken to Kwong Wah Hospital in Yau Ma Tei.

Two days after Luk was admitted to the hospital, he remained in a critical and unconscious state. Doctors subsequently reported the case to police. After about a month of hospitalization, Luk was declared dead on August 4.

Sources said Luk was a member of the Shui Fong triad society, though he was initially a member of Wo Shing Wo triad, where he assisted "big sister" in handling the proceeds of her alleged illegal gambling dens.

"Big sister," who is active in West Kowloon, had not taken part in the alleged murder, police said, but encouraged her fighters to engage in the kickboxing fights.

Police have classified the case as murder.

Of the six suspects arrested earlier last month, three have been charged - two for murder and one for wounding.

The rest were released on bail pending investigation and have to report to the police later this month.

erin.chan@singtaonewscorp.com