Match-maker Khoder Nasser lurked on the fringes before he pulled up a chair at the end of the table, cousin and fallen rugby league star Blake Ferguson hobbled in on crutches. 

Other members of the ‘‘team’’ and well-wishers traded high fives and the customary bear hug.

The main attraction, Anthony ‘‘The Man’’ Mundine, drifted in through a side door, mingled for a couple of minutes before taking his seat, two places away from opponent New York-based Ghanaian Josh Clottey.

There was Mundine’s mandatory boast of being the ‘‘best athlete ever’’ and the almost routine dig at the ‘‘white press’’ for questioning his credentials.

Other than that it was low key – especially by ‘‘The Man’s’’ standards.

There was little trash talk, a few straight-laced answers, a steely look in his eye.

Maybe it was out of the respect for Clottey, a former world champion with an impressive record of (37-4, 22 KOs), whose defeats were at the hands of Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito and Carlos Baldomir.

More likely, it was a sign of the importance of tonight’s bout at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.

On the line is Mundine’s WBA international super-welterweight title.

He is currently ranked the No.4 contender for Floyd Mayweather’s WBA world super-welterweight title.

Significantly a win over Clottey could set up a bout with Demetrius Andrade, a 26-year-old American unbeaten in 20 fights, 13 by KO, and a step closer to his dream fight.

Clottey is promoted by Joe DeGuardia, who also looks after Andrade.

‘‘Let’s get through this one first,’’ Mundine said.

‘‘I just want to take on the best, whoever is the best.’’

Although reluctant to outline future plans, the 38-year-old made no secret of the significance of tonight’s bout, his fourth in Newcastle after wins over Mexican Rigoberto Alvarez (2011) , Japan’s Crazy Kim (2008) and Ruben Eduardo Acosta (2006).

‘‘This is a very important fight, at a very important time in my career and my life,’’ the 38-year-old said.

‘‘I want to do something that has never been done in boxing – that is win three championship belts in three descending weight division; super-middleweight, middleweight and now super-welterweight.

‘‘That has never been done in boxing.’’

Clottey faced some of the best fighters of the past decade – Zab Judah, Margarito, Cotto and Pacquiao.

But due to managerial and promoter issues, he only fought twice since he went the distance with Pacquiao in 2010.

‘‘Josh Clottey is a very credible opponent,’’ Mundine said.

‘‘He can counter box, he can try and be aggressive.

‘‘I’m expecting a tough fight. He is going to try come on strong early and see what I have got.

‘‘I’m strong, I’m big, I’m fast, have good feet, have good defence.

‘‘They talk about Josh and his big fights. I have been in big fights too. I have fought 10 or 12 world champion bouts against bigger guys at super-middleweight, middle weight and now super-welterweight.’’

After he declared last week that he was going to end Mundine’s career, Clottey was less matter of fact yesterday.

‘‘I can’t talk for him,’’ he said.

‘‘After the fight he can choose. It is my time to shine in Australia.

‘‘This fight is very important for both of our careers.

‘‘A loss and you have to push again. A win will take you to the right spot.

‘‘I am expecting his best. I really wanted to fight this fight to let them know I am still there.’’

Clottey, despite being supremely confident, said if Mundine won he deserved a shot at Mayweather.

‘‘If I get beaten fairly, no matter what the media says, he is ready to fight the best,’’ Clottey said.