Are you talking about the Edd War? Did you not notice the fleet of dozens of ships surrounding him?
If Oda wanted them to be equal he would stated it once at least and he would not give Xebec superior portrayal through entire flashback.
They were pirating at same time yet Oda gave xebec superior portrayal and named era after him , fact that Xebec had to die so Roger could have an era of its own tells volumes .
Xebec kills an admiral while Roger can't kill admiral Sengoku , Xebec defeats Garling while Roger ties with Whitebeard it's clear who has superior feats against top tiers.
Oda chose Xebec to fight Imu 1 vs 1 for a time not Roger .
Even their offspring fought directly and Xebec son won over Roger son .
There is no portrayal , statement or feat that puts Roger on same level as base Xebec. It's just your headcanon never stated or hinted in manga.