二刀流的刀鞘

（最後一課才確定這就是Mendoza的拳擊預備架勢）

說好要在農曆春節期間把拳擊的藝術的最後一章翻譯完，結果還是拖到了五月。
在這個章節他解釋了一些對抗中的戰術，包含怎麼前進、怎麼後退、怎麼評估對手和針對不同類型的對手該怎麼戰鬥。
其中提到了如果我的手比較長、如果我的手比較短，這種關於臂展的問題，在中國武術中我不曾看過。想必是他這種長年有大量比賽經驗的人特有的體會。
他也提到很多如果對手大動作揮出王八拳該怎麼處理，就是用直拳走最短距離打他。
Mendoza的拳擊風格和腳步移動方式，在在讓我聯想到類似詠春拳這類南拳的風格。或許實際呈現的打法不太一樣，但是拳理上的思路很類似。
最後他留了可以諮詢他拳擊相關疑問的住址，想必這本小書其實也是一個拳擊教室的文宣廣告吧。

無論如何，總算結束這份功課了！謝天謝地！

以下是原文中英翻譯

Rules of BOXING  拳擊的原則
__________

After having thus explained the order of the lessons, and the proper method of practising them, I would impress on the reader’s mind the following precepts, which will be brought to bear in fighting, and found equally easy and necessary.

在闡述過課程的順序以及如何正確的練習之後，我打算向讀者建立以下的觀念。這些原則會在戰鬥中被運用，同樣易於掌握並且必不可少。

Parry the blows of your adversary’s right hand with your left, and those of his left hand with your right.

This rule ought never to be disregarded, except when you see a safe opportunity of catching a blow of his right hand if aimed at the face on your right, and striking him in the loins with your left; or of stopping his left-arm stroke on your left and directing your right fist to his kidneys.

用你的左手防禦對手的右拳，用你的右手防禦他的左拳

這個原則不應該被忽略，除非當你看見一個安全的機會可以用右手抓住他打向你右臉的右拳，然後用你的左手打他的腰部；或是攔截他打向你左臉的左拳，然後立刻用你的右拳打他的腎臟。

If your adversary aims all round blows,

Which is generally the case with a man ignorant of Boxing, you should strike straight forward, as a direct line reaches its object sooner than one that is circular.

如果你的對手揮了一堆王八拳

這通常表示你的對手是個對拳擊一無所知的人，你應該直接向前用直線打擊他，因為兩點之間直線比弧線更短更快。

If he gives way, or is staggered by a severe blow,

You should not be anxious to recover your guard and stand on the defensive, as this will be only giving him time to recollect himself, but take advantage of his momentary confusion, and follow up the blow.

如果對手被打退或是被重拳擊中

你不應該急於恢復你的架勢並進入防禦狀態，這只會給他恢復狀態的時間，你應該把握他陷入混亂的時機繼續追擊。

Advancing,

Is practised by placing the right foot forward, at the same distance from your left, as your left is from the right in the first attitude; you the throw your left foot forward so as to resume your original position, and thus keep gaining on your antagonist as he recede.

前進

你預備的姿勢是左腳在前，右腳往前的時候要讓兩腳之間維持相同的距離。接著你向前踏出左腳，恢復初始的姿勢，如此你就能在對手後退的時候不斷向他逼近。

Retreating,

Which is used when your adversary approaches too violently upon you, or when you feel yourself embarrassed and with to recover your guard, is practised by placing the left leg about as far behind the right, as the right in the original position is removed behind the left, then throwing the right hindmost so as to regain your former attitude, and thus continue receding from your antagonist just as the circumstances of the battle shall render necessary.

退後

當你的對手攻勢太猛烈，或是當你感到困惑需要恢復架勢時，你需要後退。你將左腳後退到右腳後方並維持與基本架勢相同的距離，然後將右腳接著往後移來恢復原本的架勢，藉此視狀況所需持續遠離你的對手。

If you are long armed,

You will have an advantage over your antagonist, as your guard will keep him at a distance, and as your blows, by reaching further, will be struck with more force.

如果你的手很長

你會比你的對手有優勢，你的架勢可以確保他在攻擊距離外，而且你的拳能夠打得更遠也更有力量。

If short-armed,

Your superiory over your antagonist will consist in close fighting. You must endeavour to get within he compass of his arms, and aim short strait blows which will reach him before he can strike at you, and if he does strike at you, his fists will go over your shoulder.

如果你的手比較短

你戰鬥時的優勢會在近身肉搏。你必須努力進入他手臂的內圍，並且重點發揮短距離的直擊，這將讓你比他更快擊中他。而且如果他想攻擊你，他的拳頭會越過你的肩膀而落空。

If your adversary is ignorant of Boxing,

He will generally strike round blows, or plunge head-forward. If he strikes round blows in an awkward slovenly manner, content yourself with aiming at his face and stomach, in a strait forward direction. If he strikes them quickly, stand chiefly on the defensive ---- stopping his blows, and throwing in the return whenever you find it convenient --- and when you perceive him winded, his as fast as possible, and follow up your blows. If he buts, or plunges at you headlong, you may either strike straight forward and catch his face on your fist: or turn round on your left hell, and let him fly over your thigh; or jump on one side, and strike him with one hand as he advances, and with the other as he passes by.

如果你的對手對拳擊一無所知

他可能會經常揮出王八拳，或是一頭猛衝。如果他破綻百出的揮出王八拳，你就直接向前瞄準他的臉或是腹部攻擊。如果他的動作敏捷，你應該以防禦為主--攔截他的攻擊，然後在你覺得可行的時候還擊。當你發現他已經開始氣喘吁吁，你應該盡可能加快速度展開攻擊。如果他輕率的衝撞你，你可以直接用拳頭打他的臉；或者向你的左後方轉身，使他翻摔過你的大腿；或是往旁邊跳開，同時在他前衝的時候給他一拳，然後在他經過你旁邊的時候用另一手再補一拳。

In the preceding lessons and precepts, I have endeavoured to explain the Art of boxing perspicuously, and to reduce it within as narrow a compass as possible. In order still further to illustrate my instructions, I have inserted a Plate in the Book----representing the guard, or first position.
If any instructions in the preceding pages appear difficult or obscure, I shall be happy to give every necessary explanation to those who will have the goodness to apply to me, for that purpose, at No. 7, Molesworth-street, Dublin, or at the Printer’s hereof.

在前述的課程和原則中，我已經努力簡明的闡述了拳擊的藝術，並且盡量縮減他的範疇。為了進一步闡明我的指導，我在書中插入了一張圖畫。藉此解釋架勢，或是預備動作。
如果前面的頁面中有任何看起來困難或晦澀的內容，我很樂意向那些好心尋求幫助的人提供必要的解釋。他們可以聯繫我，我在都柏林的莫爾斯沃斯街7號，或者聯繫本書的印刷商。