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 an officer of his rank?

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