Zoro and Killer were arguing about that, and Killer knew the prowess of the punishers while Zoro didn't...
Zoro needed to disarm and steal one weapon to reassert santoryu against Kamazou to win, and can't do that with punishers, let alone the great leap in potency Killer has with them.
If it was pre-enma but santoryu Zoro vs punisher Killer then Zoro would win.
Nitoryu nerfed Zoro loses to punisher Killer.
First, stop acting like Killer knew or knows Zoro true power because he doesn't.
Second, Zoro didn't need to steal Killer's weapon to beat him. Zoro is a three sword style user that is skills in one and two sword style techniques. Zoro never used one or two sword style techniques against Killer. He only used two swords. There is a difference and he explained that near the beginning of the manga against the Cat brothers. The first time Zoro used any sword style techniques against Killer he destroyed and blitzed him.
Why did Zoro take Killer's weapon? It was to show us the difference between their physical strength and fighting/weapon skills. Zoro quickly adapted the scythe to his fighting style and used a name technique with it. Killer used the scythes longer but couldn't do the same.
Zoro beats Killer with 1, 2, or 3 swords. Pre or post enma.
Zoro beat Hawkins in their battle. It wasn't a long battle but it was still a battle.
The battle does show us the difference between the strength. Zoro at that time was several levels above Hawkins.
Zoro easily caused Hawkins a doll with a none name attack. Zoro defeated Hawkins' high level attack, remember he used that card to go beyond his level with the scarecrow, with one of his low level two sword style attacks.