Sure oda hyped up mihawk’s sword skills through a non-swordsman
That comparison makes a lot of sense when you realize a lot of strong people don't stick to particular style of combat and shanks is a very noteworthy person who uses a sword.
I would not reduce big mom to a swordsman just cause she carries a sword, clearly more versatile.
I would not reduce Kizaru to one cause he has a light sword.
king the wildfire certainly didn't want to be reduced to one either.
ask yourself why strength wasn't used there which would have put this argument to bed but some vague term called sword skills was used instead. ask yourself why the author would say we know he uses a sword but how exactly does he fight?
what would be his point in insinuating that, should be obvious no ?how he fights with a sword?
so until he has, it will be argued because shanks simply is the better portrayed character of the two.