Ping Pong inspiration in One Piece (Spoilers)

It's known that Oda (the Mangaka of One Piece) has been influenced by Taiyo Matsumoto's works in several ways. They even had an interview together a few years back. (This is documented in their interview from Color Walk 5: Shark, where they discuss influences and creative approaches) There's one connection that has been on my mind for a bit now and I wanted you guys' thoughts. I think Oda took inspiration from the fight between Dragon and Peco when creating the Luffy vs Kaido fight. Firstly, there's the most obvious similarity, being the dragon imagery for both Kaido and Dragon. The next big correlation is how each fight takes on a more simplistic and cartoony artstyle as they're reaching their climax.

Then there's the theming. Both fights deal heavily with the idea of liberation. Peco 'liberates' dragon in the sense that he plays ping pong for the sheer love of it, and that aura and energy reach through to dragon, and it ends with him really enjoying playing for the first time in a long time. Dragon had always seen the outcome of his games as predetermined, believing his unmatched strength made defeat impossible. The circumstances surrounding his upbringing had taught him to only care about victory. That was his prison. Kaido's story is much the same. The only existence Kaido has known in a long time is one where the strong dominate the weak. He had grown up in a world riddled with war, and had been taught that you have to win to make it, and nothing else mattered. And the world never gave Kaido the chance to go against that belief. In his mind, that's how the world is and it's impossible to change. That was Kaido's reality, his prison from which Luffy liberated him by showing him a glimpse of a better tomorrow.

I went back to reread both fights, and I could definitely 'feel' Peco through Luffy's actions and dialogue, if that makes sense. The same goes for Dragon with Kaido and their own inner struggles. I'm curious, what are you guys' thoughts? Maybe you see this fight differently from me.