That's another fake tension made by Oda.
Person closest to Roger yet Garp fought Roger many times and they were rivals.
Oda is lost in the writing man.
If this was realistic. Think about it.
Let's say:
Prime Whitebeard: CoO, CoA, CoC, advCoA, advCoC + Gura fruit ( most likely awakened ) vs Roger: CoO, CoA, CoC, advCoA, advCoC.
By simple math looking at this matchup who do you think should be a winner without any shit like stalemating?
Obviously, WB but Oda is retarded. Even in both manga and anime Whitebeard doesn't fucking use his Devil Fruit vs Roger only Haki.
Bro.