HKing isn't waaay stronger than Katakuri, although he has a case to be stronger than him, still relative to the other first YC1. There has already been 3 chapters of King vs Zoro (1027, 1032 and 1033). If anything this is the fourth chapter or fifth if you count 1023.
Zoro's attacks which cut Kaido didn't do anything to King btw, and he needed to unlock the same powerup which made Luffy a top tier to beat King in 15 minutes.
He ain't no bum, that's for sure.