Boxer quits after opponent dies 'I feel like if I never got in the ring, it never would have happened' By Jessica Guenzel JOURNAL REPORTER Wednesday, March 31, 2004 Earl Ladson is thinking of hanging up his gloves. (Journal Photo by Ted Richardson) Earl Ladson, a professional boxer from Winston-Salem, says he is hanging up his gloves after an opponent whom he knocked out in a fight Saturday died. During a heavyweight match with David Rickman in Savannah, Ga., Ladson delivered several punches to Rickman's head, knocking him to the canvas in the fourth round. Rickman, of Fernandina Beach, Fla.,...