Apoo is a RANGED fighter. I've done this to death but let me use the Ace example again. Ace could not step to Blackbeard in close combat at all. One hit from Blackbeard almost broke his neck. Ace said this himself in the same chapter. When Ace opened up some distance he was able to use Hiken, Flame Spears, his whole arsenal basically and he did damage to Blackbeard. Why would Ace willingly get close to someone he knows he can't fight in close combat? Apoo is the same. Why would he willingly get close to Zoro when he doesn't have to? Again, he's a ranged fighter. He has no reason to get close to Zoro at all.