I think we have been underestimating the effects of aging! and the power of the young pups that the WG has at his disposal...

When i considered this situation at first i thought that at least if whitebeard is enough to stand up to the admirals, then his division commanders should be able to stand up to the sichibukai, but so far its been pretty one sided IMHO. I think the sichibukai will be the nail in the coffin of WB, there is no chance he is going to survive, and there is no way on earth he will take down any sichibukai or admiral in his last charge.... in fact i wouldnt be surprised if they reinforced the "changing" state of the world and had all the pacafistas smash whitebeard like the old crone he is.