In this episode of The Bounce Back Podcast, host B-Luke sat down with East Boston native Dave Gleeson to talk about his newly published autobiography, The Boy from Boston: The Irish Hitman Story.
Gleeson, now 55, earned his nickname “Irish Hitman” at age 19 through boxing. His recent interview went viral, gaining over 1 million views on Instagram, and spotlighted the release of his book published through Vanguard Publishing. It’s currently available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble for $10–15.
The book, written with the help of a ghostwriter, documents his upbringing in East Boston and the struggles that shaped his life. Gleeson said the process of writing forced him to revisit painful memories but also gave him a chance to share lessons he hopes will inspire others.
The conversation touched on Gleeson’s upbringing in poverty, including time in the Maverick projects. He spoke about witnessing domestic violence between his parents, his father’s battle with alcoholism, and his brother’s addiction to drugs like crack cocaine.
Gleeson also shared that despite the impact of addiction on his family, he personally never used drugs. He tied this to one of the central messages of his book: warning young people against drugs and encouraging resilience at any age.
He added that recent years have brought new challenges, including supporting his wife Cheryl through thyroid cancer and managing his own struggles with anxiety and anger linked to childhood trauma.
Outside of writing, Gleeson continues to train at local boxing gyms and works at Massport. He has also appeared in local films, including Press by Rex Palmer, and has plans to meet with agents in New York. He hinted that a potential movie adaptation of his book could be on the horizon.
Gleeson credited his late mother’s generosity, even during times of poverty, as a guiding influence in his life. He said any proceeds from his book will be used to give back to others.
He also stressed the importance of avoiding political division and encouraged people to treat others with kindness regardless of background.
The conversation painted a picture of someone who has carried the weight of trauma and hardship but continues to move forward with resilience. For Gleeson, boxing became a form of therapy, and now, so has storytelling.
