Why are debating this retarded shit again? We already had the confirmation with King that a character is not a swordsman if:
- Doesn't use traditional forms and techniques
- Doesn't call himself a swordsman
Characters like Fujitora would lose a fight to Mihawk if it was a sword fight, but as soon as Fujitora starts using his gravity powers, it's no longer a sword fight so Fujitora can beat Mihawk.
With Shanks it can go either way. Maybe he doesn't call himself a swordsman after he lost his arm. Maybe he found another way to fight.
Shanks (and his crew) obviously got way stronger since chapter 1 who
- called 1 CP9 member Who's Who trouble for them
- got outrun by that bandit
- lost arm to a seaking
He's obviously way stronger than when he fought Mihawk.