Man charged over Newcastle punch attack

A man has been charged over a one-punch attack in Newcastle that left a former pro surfer with suspected brain injuries.

The 22-year-old Mayfield man allegedly punched another man in the head outside a hotel shortly before midnight on Friday.

He attended Waratah Police Station on Sunday and was charged with recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm.

A former pro surfer, named in media reports as Jake Sylvester, suffered head injuries in the alleged attack and remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Mr Sylvester, 23, had been competing in the annual Surfest competition in Newcastle over the past week, according to News Corp.

He had been kicked out of a hotel on Steel Street before a scuffle broke out on the footpath.

The accused man was granted conditional bail to face Newcastle Local Court on March 16.