 In the fourteenth and fifteenth rounds Salica recovered his form and took the fight to Forte, winning the close bout by only one round.On June 16, 1941, he defended his title in a more impressive fifteen round unanimous decision against Tommy Forte before a significant crowd of 14,500 at Shibe Park in Philadelphia.Forte entered the ring an underdog in the betting but came from behind to win the later rounds (but not the fight).