User blog comment:AYET/Three strikes and yer out/@comment-3425840-20130206125618

I think Smoker is the testament of Luffy's growth. That is, some one who was clearly stronger than Luffy now is beneath him (presumably).

Makes me wonder, was it something similar with Garp and Roger? Like Garp being surpassed by Roger somewhere along Roger's own journey? That could explain why the only man to match Roger was Whitebeard but still Garp managed to corner him.