This whole thread made me laugh alot, that's for sure... If we're back to topic, finally I don't know if the hobo moves are useful, I'll explain why :
I stopped right after learning the 5-Hit combo in my game, and as I fight, I just release square before Jimmy does a special move, so that his punches are more powerful - With a perfect timing, I can knock out a nerd with 3 punches !
If we have none of the moves, we just have to keep each time square pushed as long as possible, to make three punches powerful as hell, without Jimmy to do an uppercut, a legsweep or a back kick !