According to American-based publicists for the Klitschko brothers, a regional court in Hamburg, Germany issued a preliminary ruling that the Klitschkos are free from all promotional ties to Universum, the German management/promotional company that guided the Ukranian brothers to heavyweight stardom, and in the case of Vitali Klitschko, general recognition as one of the top two heavyweights in the sport. Today’s ruling reversed a prior opinion that the agreements between the Klitschkos and Universum should have been extended. According to an English translation provided by the Klitschkos’ American publicist, both sides still have an opportunity to submit further arguments in support of their positions, so a final decision is not expected until next month.