The party the day after the main event was beginning to gain momentum when New Zealand's new heavyweight champion slipped, unannounced, into the downtown Auckland pub.
Dressed in a red T-shirt commemorating his fight against Andy Ruiz Jr, and a pair of black shorts, Joseph Parker walked in alone and barely gave the oysters, thick slabs of cut ham, bread rolls, and free drinks at the bar a second glance.
He had eyes only for the people who have got him where he is today, in particular his parents Sala and Dempsey, and his trainer Kevin Barry and wife Tanya - effectively 24-year-old Parker's second mum and dad in Las Vegas where he is based for nine months of the year.
He gave all a kiss, including Barry, with whom he has struck a special relationship; in the aftermath of the fight at Vector Arena the 57-year-old Olympic silver medallist called Parker's win the most special event of his boxing career.
Quiet applause broke out when it was obvious the man who had beaten Andy Ruiz Jr by majority decision in the fight of both men's lives was in the room, but there was little fanfare, only satisfaction and the knowledge that Parker, having made one summit, has the potential to keep climbing ever higher. The only formality was a karakia by mum Sala in thanks for the food they were about to eat.
It was, in essence, a low-key and uniquely Pacific Islands affair, and in Parker they have the quintessential Kiwi champion, a man who until Saturday had never raised both hands in celebration out of respect for his defeated opponent. He has been raised a humble individual, and despite having the world at his feet and earning about a million dollars for his victory - with plenty more riches to come - he appears determined to stay that way.
There was no wild party for Parker after the fight, and there isn't likely to be one tonight. Instead, he continues to take everything in. He doesn't want to miss anything, and in his eyes being a champion carries a responsibility.
After his 12-round epic he saw his month-old daughter Elizabeth and then went back to his downtown Auckland hotel room to reflect on his achievement in becoming the WBO heavyweight title holder only a little over four years after turning professional. He is the first New Zealand-born heavyweight champion and the first with such a strong affiliation with Samoa. He is also one of the youngest to win the heavyweight championship for the first time.
"I checked out the after-party and then went back to the room, had some time to myself and actually had a good rest," said Parker, who revealed he had 140 unread texts on his phone. "I woke up rested this morning and I feel good."
He looks and sounds good too, in contrast to Ruiz Jr, who immediately after the fight was marked all over his face and upper body and had a catch in his voice - possibly from where Parker caught him in the throat. Ruiz Jr's bloodshot eyes told their own story.
"Not a lot of injuries or marks," Parker said. "Maybe a little bruise here [on right side of face], but apart from that I think I've pulled up quite well.
"It hasn't really sunk in yet. I said to everyone before the fight and after the fight 'whatever happens, I'm going to take some time to myself. I'm not going to party like I used to do back in the day'. I feel like that was a great decision. I feel fresh today, I feel good, and it's great to see everyone here today celebrating and looking happy."
In only his 22nd professional fight, Parker had to be patient against Ruiz Jr, who many thought won the first three or four rounds. Crucially, he didn't panic, and used his superior height and reach to keep the Mexican at bay and finish over the top. After his early gains coming forward, Ruiz Jr's threat was expertly nullified by Parker.
"It's a very good learning experience. What Andy presented was a lot of danger, speed and power. He's probably the best fighter I've fought and he landed some good shots.
"I felt them, but then when I felt them I said 'now I'm going to try to give you one back'.
"I really felt that my right hand landed flush, but it just shows the hunger that he had coming into this fight; the drive. He wanted to win as badly as I did."
The naysayers, such as New Zealand Professional Boxing Association President Lance Revill, have been quick to condemn Parker's performance, as has become traditional among the tribal affiliations of the sport, but, again, Parker didn't have a bad word to say about those who felt he had lost. "I don't blame them, it was a very close fight. But deep down inside I know I won, I know that I did enough to get the victory."