Hampshire's own "Rocky" is off to the boxing capital of the world and is hoping for a knock-out performance.

But the only ring the bricklayer from Cosham will be getting close to is the bull's eye in the centre of a darts board in the Las Vegas Desert Classic.

Sports-mad Andy Jenkins has already made a name for himself on the oche and plans to become an even bigger star of the television since moving from one organisation to another.

"Rocky" - who names Nigel Benn and Mike Tyson among his sporting heroes - was a talented sportsman throughout his teens but turned to arrows after trying out boxing and rugby union, where the Gosport & Fareham wing represented his county at under-15 level.

"In those days I was faster and was a bit more whippet-like," said Jenkins. "I love boxing and used to go to watch quite a few fights but haven't recently.

"I used to box when I was 14 and had one fight - a three-rounder - and won it unanimously.

"I thought it was best to take the option of quitting while I was ahead or before I got my brains knocked in!"

Jenkins' nickname does not stem from his time inside the ring. It was given to him after returning from a darts tournament in Belgium where he had a disagreement and came to blows with legendary Eric Bristow in a hotel.

"Most people in darts know what happened - let's just say I never bow down in an argument. Eric and I are the best of friends now," added the ex-England man.

Jenkins will be toeing the oche in the famous MGM Grand Hotel - one of the most prestigious venues in Vegas, a city that has seen the stars of boxing born and many a hero dumped on the canvas.

This year the popular tournament has been extended, which means 16 competitors from four rounds of qualifiers will join the top eight on stage live on Sky Sports.

Over 100 top professionals from the UK and Europe are making the trip to compete in the biggest televised darts event in North America.

Included are Phil Taylor, John Lowe, Wayne Mardle, Kevin Painter, Dennis Priestley and Keith Deller who will be taking on the best North American players including 2002 US No 1 John Kuczynski and nine-dart legend Paul Lim.

Jenkins, 32, is aiming to go one step further than he did on his last trip abroad when he was runner-up to Taylor in the Golden Harvest tournament in Canada, but still came home £9,000 to the good.

"Things have been going well recently," said Jenkins who was an Embassy World Championship regular before moving from the British Darts Organisation to the Professional Darts Corporation where he is ranked tenth in the world.

"I travel further now than I did before but I also travel less frequently and the prize money is better," he said.

He was impressed with the recent Sky-televised UK Open at Bolton's Reebok Stadium where his best friend and former Hampshire and England colleague, Colin Monk, reached the last eight from a field of 128 playing on eight boards.

"That took darts to another level for me," said Jenkins who still works three days a week bricklaying.

"I did turn professional in darts for a few years ago but, to be honest, I got bored and my darts suffered.

"I was earning money from darts but spending too much and did not practice.

"Now I come in from work and I want to get my darts out and my game is benefiting."

Jenkins is becoming more superstitious as he gets older and wears his Portsmouth FC shirt when he is practising seriously.

But the Gosport-born man is an out-and-out Manchester United supporter and said: "Obviously I want Portsmouth to do well, but I'm Man U through and through.

"It's good for both Portsmouth and Southampton to be in the Premiership and it will be good for both cities."

But darts comes first and Jenkins - who still holds the world record for going around the board on doubles with the least amount of throws, just 31 - is busy practising to make sure he is not ring rusty when he toes the oche in Vegas.