Actually i wanted this confirmed because would make mihawk more inetrsting to me but what ever
That would only make him a loser, someone who never achieved his dream, and take his awesomeness out of Zoro's dream.
Anyway, I have the databook in the Portuguese version, here is the contextualized translation.
Um "novato" pronto para desafiar a Grande Era dos Piratas
Armado com os poderes da Suna Suna no Mi e uma astúcia e conhecimentos sem igual, Crocodile, ainda como novato, zarpou em busca do trono de Rei dos Pirata! Entretanto, depois que esse seu sonho foi destruído, ele iniciou a sua busca por um gigantesco "Poderio Militar"
Logo após o início da Grande Era dos Piratas, ele partiu em busca do trono de Rei dos Piratas!!
"Barba Branca" é simplesmente um sinônimo de "derrota". Um embate dos tempos de novato do Crocodile que o deixou com cicatrizes tão profundas quanto seu desejo de vingança...
Recrutando talentos com calma e muito sigilo, Crocodile começou a expandir sua organização...!!
A "rookie" ready to challenge the Great Age of Pirates
Armed with the powers of the Suna Suna no Mi and an unparalleled cunning and knowledge, Crocodile, still a rookie, set sail in search of the Pirate King's throne! However, after that dream of his was destroyed, he began his search for a gigantic "Military Might".
Shortly after the start of the Great Age of Pirates, he set out in search of the Pirate King's throne!!
(subject in question)
"Whitebeard" is simply a synonym for "defeat". A clash from Crocodile's rookie days that left him with scars as deep as his desire for revenge...
Recruiting talent calmly and with great secrecy, Crocodile began to expand his organization...!!