Beasley, 25, will challenge the version of events police allege happened before Greg Newton, 32, was punched and fell on Beaumont Street, Hamilton, about 3am on Saturday, defence solicitor John Anthony said.

Beasley, of Robert Street, Wickham, wanted to put his version of events to police, but received legal advice not to, a police statement said.

When applying for bail, Mr Anthony said Beasley, who did not enter a plea, had strong family support and no criminal record.

The case would probably remain in the local court for three or four months before reaching the district court, where he would be unlikely to get a trial date until the second-half of next year, Mr Anthony said.

Magistrate Dorelle Pinch said the charge was too serious to grant bail and adjourned the case to February.

A police statement said Geoffrey and Greg Newton laughed at Beasley and his friends after seeing them shadow boxing on the footpath.

Geoffrey Newton, 42, got in a fight with Beasley's friend Shane Morrisey, 24.

Greg Newton's other brother Tony, 38, tried to stop the fight before Beasley approached him.

Greg Newton approached Tony Newton and Beasley before Beasley turned and allegedly punched Greg Newton.

Mr Newton fell back and hit his head on the road and was bleeding from both ears when the ambulance arrived.

He was pronounced dead at John Hunter Hospital.