The city of Brockton, Massachusetts, known as the “City of Champions” for its boxing heritage, will play host to a Frontier League baseball team that celebrates that heritage. In anticipation of the team’s debut this spring, the New England Knockouts this week unveiled their nickname and a suite of logos created by Michigan-based designer Grant O’Dell.
The unveiling of the new name comes just a few months after the franchise announced that it would be called the New England Chowdahheads, the winner of a name-the-team contest. The news of that announcement was poorly received by fans, and the team chose to go another direction.
Per the team, the boxing gloves and belt pay tribute to boxing legends Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Rocky Marciano, both of whom were trained by Brockton’s own Pat and Goody Petronelli, who were iconic within the sport.
With the unveiling, the team released explanations of their design decisions, including bold, all-caps type complete with rivets that are meant to evoke the south shore’s industrial history, and a color palette with names derived from boxing terms: Jab, Hook, Overhand, Bell, and Canvas.
“In the heart of Brockton, where champions are created and legends are born, our new brand identity makes a bold statement and truly shows our commitment to this city, truly embodying the City of Champions,” said Nick Desrosiers, senior VP & general manager of the New England Knockouts. “As we reveal our brand, we wanted to do more than introduce a logo. We’re beginning a new chapter in Brockton’s legacy, promising that the Knockouts will lead with the same fight, passion and determination as those boxing legends who paved the way for us and others who proudly call Brockton home.”
Alternate logos include a full-body bulldog who characterizes the “bruiser” and “intimidating” spirit the team embodies. Another logo features the letters “KO” for Knockout with a bell that signifies the end of a boxing match. And finally, the team unveiled a script “The City of Champions” logo in honor of Brockton’s nickname.
The Knockouts will play at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton, Massachusetts, with first pitch Friday, May 10, against the Ottawa Titans. The Frontier League is a Major League Baseball partner league.