Shaun McNeil was heading home on New Year's Eve 2013 when a few stray words from a group of drug-pushing teenagers in Sydney sparked a fight.
Moments later, bystander Daniel Christie lay unconscious on the Kings Cross pavement, floored by a single fatal blow from McNeil's right fist.
McNeil, 27, pleaded not guilty to the 18-year-old's murder but guilty to his manslaughter at the opening day of his trial in the NSW Supreme Court on Monday.
Crown prosecutor Eric Balodis declined to accept the plea, telling the jury evidence would show McNeil had intended to cause grievous bodily harm when he aimed a "large swinging punch" at Mr Christie's head.
In his opening address, Mr Balodis said McNeil, who had been drinking for several hours, was approached by a group of teenagers around 9pm.
A confrontation was sparked when the group offered to sell McNeil drugs and made comments about the appearance of his girlfriend, Sonya Walker.
McNeil kicked one of the teenagers while the youth was on the ground and walked him away after he got back to his feet, Mr Balodis said.
It was then that McNeil and Mr Christie came face to face.
"Daniel Christie said something along the lines of `What's going on?' or `What are you hitting a kid for?'" Mr Balodis said.
McNeil, swearing and bloodied from the scuffle, referred several times to his training as a mixed martial arts fighter.
Mr Christie, who was with his brother Peter, backed away, had his hands up "in a defensive manner" and said "no", Mr Balodis said.
McNeil then delivered what he described to police as a "jab", using only some of his strength.
On the contrary, Mr Balodis said, the crown would demonstrate the blow was a "large swinging punch" - one that caused Mr Christie's body to stiffen and his head to strike the pavement with an audible crack.
"The accused intended to land a heavy blow on Daniel," Mr Balodis said.
"He had an intention to do grievous bodily harm with his punch, and by that punch he caused the death."
McNeil's lawyer, Craig Smith, told the court his client had the "mistaken belief" that the Christie brothers were part of the same group as the teenagers.
"The accused should never have thrown that punch," he said.
"But when he did, he did not at all intend to cause grievous bodily harm."
The trial continues.
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