Think about it. You're fighting Doc. Now, his tips aren't super-useful, but if he's as hard as just Great Tiger or Don Flamenco, he could just be your worst nightmare--who's gonna eat chocolate to restore your health? What if he doesn't let you fight a hologram to practice in Exhibition? Heck, he might pull a Soda Popinski and eat his chocolate to heal himself!
Anyone who played the game should be expecting this to be much greater than a "minigame." Anything short of spectacular, and it wouldn't feel like part of the effort that went into every detail of Punch-Out!! Of course all the naysayers don't give a flying frig about the game because they're busy playing the same old things. Play it and see what it is for yourself.