COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Naomi Graham is aware of the importance of being chosen as two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields’ middleweight successor in Tokyo, but she has faced bigger pressures in her life. She’s a relative newcomer to high-level boxing, only picking it up a decade ago and fighting her way to Olympic contention while also serving in the Army as an ammunition specialist. Now thriving after a homeless stint in early adulthood, Graham has balanced the demands on her time splendidly. She will be the first female active-duty soldier to fight for the U.S. at the Olympics, and she relishes the history she’s making.
