Mihawk losing to another swordsman wouldn't be bad writing on Oda's part.
Consider this: why is Mihawk the only former Shichibukai whose backstory has yet to be revealed?
It's interesting that Mihawk, one of the original Shichibukai, holds a specific "title," and so far, the titles held by other Shichibukai have been proven wrong or misleading as the story has progressed.
For example, Crocodile was initially regarded as the hero of Alabasta, only to be exposed as a villain . Boa Hancock was hailed as the most beautiful woman in the world, but later it was revealed that Shirahoshi holds that distinction. Then there's Kuma, labeled a "tyrant," yet it turns out he was actually a priest and one of the kindest characters we've seen. So, who’s next? It could very well be Mihawk.
Oda will reveal Mihawk's backstory, especially his connection with Shanks, to explain how he earned his title and whether it's truly deserved. To prove or disprove this, Mihawk might need to fight Shanks in the current timeline, which could finally put to rest the long-standing debate about their strength.
If Shanks wins their battle, will Zoro eventually fight Shanks? The answer is yes. There are several reasons for this. One of it is, Oda has subtly drawn parallels between Shanks and Zoro throughout the story. For instance, both of their bounty posters bear similarities (staring at the left side), both have a scar over their left eye, and both share a deep bond with Luffy, having made sacrifices for him. They also share a love for sake.
Additionally, Oda has placed a strong emphasis on the idea that "Haki transcends all," particularly Conqueror's Haki. Even if Zoro wields a black blade and achieves mastery as a swordsman, his level would still be on par with Mihawk. However, to truly surpass Mihawk, Zoro will need to elevate his Conqueror's Haki to the next level. Conqueror's Haki, therefore, will play a crucial role in Zoro’s eventual growth and in surpassing Mihawk, and to fight Shanks.
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After revealing the consequences Bartolomeo faced for burning Shanks' flag, do you really think Oda won’t showcase the highly anticipated duel between the strongest swordsmen? Oda is merely postponing it, and the encounter between the Red Hair Pirates and the Cross Guild presents the perfect moment to finally unveil this clash.