Tbh Oda chose for a reason more skilled. He could have said outright he's stronger than Shanks but chose that wording, to add more fuel to fire during these two weeks.
Meanwhile,
> Brannew talking about Shanks while mentioning Mihawk is confirmation that Shanks is a swordsman & Mihawk is the Strongest Swordsman.
> Besides, the statement was "Mihawk's a swordsman whose skill surpasses even XXX", when you talk about comparing swordsmen "skill" is the default word instead of strength. Oda said the same thing using the same verbage regarding Denjiro, his "Swordsmanship" is the best among the Scabbards ergo meaning he's only inferior to the Sulong Dukes.
Shanks wont be regarded as weak if you say Mihawk > Shanks, he's still hella strong. Just give props where its due man... its been a long time coming.