@sanjikun will tell you Whitebeard was still a rookie, while his age-mates Roger and Garp, who will stop DM buffed Xebec, are 99% of their prime.
Honestly this spread bullshit of WB not being prime has to end.
Idk why the Fandom convinced themselves of such a thing.
WB was weaker than Garp, Idk why people are so in denial regarding this.
He is the strongest marine and people think there were 3 pirates on his Era stronger than him? Nah lol.
They think that Luffy's grandfather who has VOAT, All hakis, that went against Imu, made WB run, is below WB?
I don't get people.
Just like I didn't get those pushing Sengoku super equal to Garp, this is a Manga about will.
Garp oppeses Imu, Sweatgoku would never.
They were never equal.
Garp, Rocks and Roger are clearly those top 3 of the previous Gen.
WB is of a lesser caliber, but he is still rocks right hand strong enough to force his captain to a very high diff fight. He can also equal Roger if those two do not try to kill each other.
Then we have Ray and Gaban, Sengoku etc, a lesser caliber than WB, but still overall strong enough to give a super good fight to Roger and be legit strong legendary top tiers that can be considered shoulder to shoulder to Roger and Garp to some extent.