No, Vergo was holding back far more. While Sanji was holding back Hell Memories and Haki, Vergo held back using Rokushiki, Haki, and his Bamboo stick. He was in a kicking match with Sanji, this area is Sanji's expertise while it's not Vergo's. Sanji got beat at his own game while holding back two things, while Vergo managed to outclass Sanji(at best for Sanji, it's a tie, and that's still bad) while holding back every part of his main fighting style. The portrayal of Vergo>Sanji is palpably evident.Sanji never used Hells Memories or Haki and Vergo never used Haki. Sanji was holding back more, not to mention he was already injured.
It makes no sense as to why Smoker would be holding back in that fight. He had two reasons for fighting: Repaying his debt to Law, and avenging his men. While it can be argued that Smoker aimed to accomplish both by getting Law's heart back for him and having Law defeat Smoker, it's a weak argument because it goes against Smoker's character. He hates being indebted to a pirate, and feeling like he had to rely on one. He would never let a pirate do something for him if he can do it. Smoker's desire to avenge his comrades, whom he cares about, most definitely outweighs his desire to repay his debts to someone he strongly dislikes if not hates, so you can bet he went into that fight wanting to to avenge them more than he did wanting to repay Law. Smoker could not defeat Vergo, despite his best efforts, so he settled for repaying his debts and letting Law defeat Vergo, ultimately failing to avenge his comrades personally.1) Smoker High diff.
(People using excuses for Sanji losing against Vergo...While the fight never continued Vergo had yet to use Coa and his bamboo stick anyone who thinks Sanji would have done better than Smoker is either biased or delusional not to mention Smoker was fighting to distract Vergo rather than win in the end)
2) Sanji & Smoker mid diff.
(Both characters are physically faster and stronger than Law while Law's DF would be tricky for both Sanji and Smoker would eventually overcome Law).
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