He aint fuelling shit, that's how direct he gets.
People still confuse it for skills though lol. If it was as clear cut as you make it seem, there still wouldn't be a debate.
Actually, I think more of the fanbase lean toward Shanks because of this, they say if Oda specified 'skill' why not just say outright strength, so they separate the two
I think Oda muddled that up more
Ask yourself, why is there dozens of OP sources, databooks, vivre cards which all say Mihawk > Shanks and why is there not a single one which says Shanks is better.
Majority of the fanbase don't follow these
And of the ones that do, but hate on Mihawk will say, filler lol