disclaimer: this is based only on personal opinions and observation and i could easily make an argument for any other fight! there may also be some inaccuracies as this is based on memory. i'm going to be focusing ONLY on the anime, specifically the latter half of episode 126
some general reasons:
1. crocodile is luffy's first big villain!! since he's a warlord and more notorious than the previous villains luffy has faced
2. luffy's fight with crocodile was dragged out with good pacing and strong emphasis on his victory (more on this later)
1. crocodile is luffy's first big villain!! since he's a warlord and more notorious than the previous villains luffy has faced
2. luffy's fight with crocodile was dragged out with good pacing and strong emphasis on his victory (more on this later)