 Pace was recognized as the NBA World Bantamweight Title holder at the time of the fight, and Salica was still considered by the New York State Athletic Commission to hold their version of the World Title, largely as a result of his win over Tony Olivera the previous year.On December 2, 1940, he technically knocked out Small Montana, former flyweight champion, in the third round in Toronto to defend his World Bantamweight Championship.Salica floored Montana, nine times, before the fight was stopped 1