Philadelphia's Mike Jones is no Rocky Balboa or Bernard Hopkins

NABA and WBONABO welterweight champion Mike Jones dominated and over-matched Irving Garcia to triumph by fifth round TKO July 9 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Jones (22-0, 18 KOs), a Philadelphia native, landed a vicious 10-punch barrage in the decisive round that left Garcia (17-4-3) on his knees.

Garcia couldn't manage to regain his footing and referee Randy Neumann halted the match.

Jones is a talented prizefighter with great potential in the ring.

However, it's difficult to accurately judge Jones because the Philadelphian has fought a group of humps to date.

"I want to fight somebody that's ranked," said Jones, 27, after his victory.

WBO welterweight titlist Manny Pacquiao and WBC king Andre "The Beast" Berto have been mentioned as possible future opponents for Jones.

It is virtually impossible to fathom that Jones could compete with either Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) or Berto (26-0, 20 KOs) at this juncture.

"Jones is another lowlife from Philly who will never amount to anything," said Quincy native and rabid boxing fanatic Michael Cardello.

Jones has been pampered more than New York Yankees hurler Joba Chamberlain. A hasty upgrade in class would likely spell doom for "M.J."

At 27, Jones is at a precarious age because he is no longer young and he certainly isn't old, either.

Jones's handlers need to significantly upgrade the skill level of his opponents.

However, an upgrade to the extent of Pacquiao or Berto would be the equivalent of suicide by boxing for Jones.