Simon Bennett, 28, was found lying in the street in The Greenway, Middlesbrough, on 9 May. He was pronounced dead at hospital.
Appearing at Teesside Crown Court, Craig Conway, of Berwick Hills Avenue, Brambles Farm, said he was guilty of manslaughter but denied murder.
He was remanded in custody and is due to stand trial on 3 November.
A 30-year-old man has admitting killing a man who died of a stab wound, but has denied his murder.