User blog comment:Blackendedsoul/Smoker's Bravery/@comment-3119203-20120320025225/@comment-3425840-20120320051538

One little thing, when he challenged Law, that is the Shichibukai, he is a different person, a Vice Admiral now.

Now as for your reasoning: So basically you are saying that he it was his self-confidence, (not overconfidence, cause overconfidence implies cockiness) bravery and pride that led him to confront Ace even though knowing his fearsome bounty that was out of the league of a officer of his rank?

Well it does make sense and I agree. That was probably what the case was.