Nick Diaz spars with Andre Ward ... so how did he do?

http://www.mmamania.com/2011/5/10/2163558/nick-diaz-spars-with-andre-ward-so-how-did-he-do



He did good! Well, sort of. I think.

Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz is working diligently to prepare for an upcoming boxing match against former Super Middleweight Champion Jeff Lacy, who agreed to welcome Diaz to the "sweet science" later this year.

To help get his hands up to snuff, the wily Stockton slugger is mixing it up with current WBA Super Middleweight Champion and Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward, who shares his experience of working with Diaz in a recent conversation with ESPN.com.

"Nick has good hands, some of the best hands in MMA. But professional boxing is totally different. Totally different. I can’t really talk about [how he did]. That’s something fighter’s don’t reveal out of respect for each other. It was good work though. He’s a southpaw and he just keeps on coming. It’s definitely good work."

Sounds like Nick's a good workout. But is he a good boxer?

Diaz, who recently scored an improbable come-from-behind victory via first round technical knockout over British striker Paul "Semtex" Daley back on April 9, has been vocal about finding new challenges outside the Strikeforce promotion.

The Stockton, Calif., native is riding a 10-fight win streak and has finished all but one of his opponents in dominating fashion. Coach Cesar Gracie even told HDNet that Diaz has a "re-worked" contract that allows him to dabble in the sport of boxing, where you don't have to worry about takedowns or lay 'n pray.

If Diaz gets crushed in the "sweet science," expect a hasty return to the cage. But will he be stuck in San Jose until the Showtime contract expires? Or can Zuffa finagle a UFC return? And who would Diaz fight if it could?