NEW YORK, NEW YORK July 29, 2006,  They strive for guts, grit and glory – they are the Fight Girls, Oxygen’s new reality movie, premiering Monday, August 7th, at 9 pm.
 

Fight Girls chronicles seven tough female fighters who are out for the fight of their lives and attempt the impossible – to beat the best female fighters in the world in a battle for the World Muay Thai Championship. Trained by and hand-picked by Muay Thai guru Master Toddy, a Muay Thai champion and Thai native, three women are chosen to travel to Thailand to compete in the country’s historic sport also known as Thai Boxing.

WBAN Sign-in, or for more information

The two-hour special reveals the unexpected faces of those who compete in the deadliest form of martial arts. Behind the gloves and bruises are attractive mothers, brides-to-be and high-level executives. As the training intensifies, so does the toll on their personal lives exposing the emotional battles of these powerhouse fighters.

Once the three best fighters reach Thailand, they are confronted with the reality of their pursuit by witnessing just how protective their Thai competitors are of their national sport and the disdain they hold for American women – believing they hold the exclusive right to victory. “American women are beautiful,” they say, “but not strong.” Master Toddy rallies each woman to believe in herself and to prove to him they have the “lion heart” – the determination to train hard and conquer their fear in the ring.

“Courage, strength and resilience is what Fight Girls is all about,” says Debby Beece, President of Programming & Marketing, Oxygen. “These fighters are the ultimate Oxygen woman -- they kick butt and strive for their very best. It’s not just about the competition, it’s the emotional story about women who confront their inner-most demons.”

Depicting the growing trend, Fight Girls gives an inside look into the rise of women who practice martial arts in the United States – with the numbers of frequent participants increasing 115% from 2002 to 2004 for women 18-24 years old.***

Fight Girls is executive produced by Scott Messick and Tom Weber of Mess Media. Their credits include Survivor, NASCAR Drivers: 360 and Pros vs. Joes. The special is managed by Senior Vice President Aaron Meyerson, Oxygen’s SVP of Development and Production. Kristen Connolly Vadas, Oxygen’s Vice President of Development West Coast, serves as the Executive in Charge.

About Oxygen Media
Oxygen, the only cable network owned and operated by women, is currently available in over 68 million homes. The network was launched in 2000 to fill a void in the television landscape -- creating a network targeted to younger women. Oxygen is rewriting the rulebook for women's television, with vast array of unconventional and original programming including The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, Mo’Nique’s Fat Chance and Campus Ladies. Geraldine Laybourne, the network's founder, Chairman and CEO, has led the company to be a strong advocate for women. Through programs like The Mentor's Walk, Oxygen's national program for bringing along the next generation, and "Who Cares About Girls," Oxygen's new documentary series -- Oxygen is creating The New Girls Network.
Learn more...

About Master Toddy Muay Thai Center
Master Toddy's Muay Thai Academy is world famous. With over 40 world champions we are the leading academy of Thai Boxing anywhere. We offer competetive and non-contact classes, fitness, children and adult classes in Muay Thai. We also offer fly in camps, one-on-one training with our master instructors form Thailand and we offer MTIA Muay Thai Assistant Instructor and Instructor certification courses.

Written by Lauren Sklar