WB had the highest "raw human physical" strength. He may have used a blade, but that was secondary to his main characteristic.
Mihawk has the greatest swordsmanship. It may lead to him unleashing attacks able to put him on par with WB, but the path of the sword is what led him there, it's what he's known for.
Kaido is the strongest Zoan user. His natural strength may surpass WB's, but he isn't a human. His scales may allow him to eat a couple Mihawk sword slashes, but he isn't a swordsmanship.
Hence, WB earned the title of the Strongest Man. Mihawk that of Strongest Swordsman. And Kaido that of Strongest Creature.
It's not about the differences in strength between the three titles; just about how their holders got to obtain that strength.
I have a different perspective on the "Strongest" title.
- We got 3 era of Pirates between current roger era.
God Valley happened 38-40 years ago.
Which gave us 4 strongest Users , and title changed depending on what they specialized in.
- At god valley , Xebec held the strongest Title.
- 10 years down the line , WB took on their reigns , as the Strongest Man.
- 10 Years down the line and Kaidou took on thr reigns , as the strongest Creature.
- 10 years down the line , Mihawk took on the reigns , as the strongest Swordsman.
Coincidently with above logic , Every at The age of 39-41 are at their peak. Of they remain strong afterwards too , but there's a clear decline. Kaidou was 57 or 59 I'm not sure but Do you seriously see a 60 year beast being Being at his prime? Kaidou took the strongest reign way before he went down.
God Valley Happened 38 years ago.
Whitebeard died at the age of 72 , 72-38= 34 years old.... by the time he was 39-41 he held the title.
Kaidou age at gods valley was , 59 - 38 = 21.
When WB was 41 , Kaidou was 28 yo.
Next 10 years....
WB left the strongest reign , kaidou became the strongest - 38 year old...
Mihawk age at god valley , 2-3 yesr old...
Next 7 years , when WB was the Strongest , Mihawk was 9-10 ,
Next 10 years , when Kaidou took the reigns ,
Mihawk was 19-20 , Already infamous...
Kaidou was 38 during this period , and currently was 59 , 59 - 38 = 21...
At that mihawk age , 19 - 20 + 21 = 40-41...
41 is mihawk current age....
They reigned at different time as the strongest none of them had it at the same time. They decline....
Mihawk told zoro , he would fight him at his peak, which is 41 , right now!.
Other than that , Man , Creature , Swordsman are just their basic go to....
WB was earthquake "man" as paramacia user like luffy is rubber man.
Kaidou was a Zoan fruit user , hence the word Creature was used ,
Mihawk uses a sword as his primary go to , Hence the strongest Swordsman...
Whitebeard being called the strongest "man" in raw physical is a lie because garp was present... he smacking mountains down with his fist but best we got from WB is stopping his own ship with his hand.
